13/12/2025

SATURDAY | DEC 13, 2025

COMMUNITY 7

G EORGE TOWN: A group of students from the School of Communication in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently conducted a workshop on their initiative to preserve traditional perform ing arts under a campaign named Mai Cerita. Their agency, called Hikarya, collaborated with the Wak Long Music and Art Centre to preserve the cultural heritage of the wayang kulit . The impactful student-led campaign was designed as part of the YKT311 final-year course under the supervision of School of Communication academics Dr Sharifah Nadiah Syed Mukhiar and Dr Ng See Kee. Mai Cerita aimed to bridge the gap between tradition and modern youths, demonstrating that traditional arts can still resonate with today’s generation. The programme featured interactive workshops, social media campaigns, contests and community engagement with small booth displays. Titled as Bayang Stories, the workshop drew participation from students of Penang Free School (PFS), SMK Raja Tun Uda and USM itself. “This exposure to wayang kulit opens students’ eyes to the richness of our cultural heritage, something the younger generation should be proud of and treasure as they begin to explore the world,” said music expert and PFS teacher Leonard Selva Gurunathan. The young participants were treated to a mini wayang kulit performance by experienced artisans. The exposure expanded their awareness of this ancient art form. The event began with a welcoming speech by Cheah Khe Xin, Mai Cerita’s project director. Mohd Jufry Yusoff from Wak Long led the sharing session, which was also attended by Murshid Md Hussain, the cultural officer for the USM Art and Culture Talent Enrichment Sector. Murshid served as the tok dalang (master

Lights, shadows, stories: Youths inspired by wayang kulit o Workshop at USM features artisans promoting awareness on ancient art form

Murshid captivating the young audience with wondrous puppetry storytelling.

Participants proudly showing their traditional puppet designs.

conductor) of the vibrant mini-performance. With some guidance, the participants got the opportunity to make their own traditional puppets and even encouraged to try “letting the puppets tell”. “I have never encountered such an engaging cultural heritage workshop. I am looking forward to more events like this, as it widens my knowledge and experience,” shared Muhammad Uwais Mohamad Faisal, a PFS pupil. The workshop was sposored by Project CAN, Sincere Wealth Advisory Group Sdn Bhd,

Sdn Bhd, and Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah. Mai Cerita’s second workshop, titled Potehi: Stories in the Palm, will be held on Dec 15.

Tanuki Japanese Canteen, GoodMorning Global Sdn, Pak Kopi 1969 Pulau Pinang, Nasi Lemak Sambal Lesung, Tea Kadai, Penang 3D Trick Art Museum, Torto Food Industries (M)

Support for four schools with special pupils

Ű BY P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

dispensed such aid to schools. On hand to welcome them at each school were the respective institutions’ management and teachers. The special needs children are part of the schools’ overall student populations under the Integrated Special Education Programme. It entails a national system where students with special needs learn in mainstream schools, often in dedicated classes. Blending special support with regular school environment and curricula, the instruction given to the special needs pupils includes focus on holistic development and skills acquisition for life. By providing specialised education within a regular school, the initiative bridges special education and mainstream learning. The children include those having Down syndrome, learning disabilities, speech problems, and eyesight and hearing defects.

IPOH: The Perak branch of the Pertubuhan Nala Duta Nusantara Malaysia has donated cash to four schools in Ipoh to support special classes for children with various disabilities. The schools - SMK Seri Ampang, SMK Rapat Setia, SMK Wira Jaya and SMK Jelapang Jaya - received their amounts during separate visits by the society’s representatives on Dec 5. The delegation was led by the organisation’s deputy chairman Chan Kwong See, treasurer Low Jiun Tyan, women’s wing head Wong Lai Cheng and her deputy May Lam, youth league head Chan Kai Mun and committee member Chan Jia Ying. Kwong See said the schools each received RM1,000 to carry out activities and hold special classes for the children. This was the first time that the society had

Participants during the trekking expedition to gather insights at the dense Pin Supu forest.

Sabah, Sarawak forestry officials share sustainable practices

Ű BY JOSHUA CHANG newsdesk@thesundaily.com

central to the conservation efforts. The second day involved a field visit to forest reserve’s operational sites. Delegates observed nursery activities and witnessed a tree-planting demonstration. They also reviewed the progress of the Lake Tungog Restoration Project, which aims to revive a crucial lake ecosystem. Activities on the final day were centred at the Supu Adventure Camp. The delegation explored Supu Cave and trekked to Supu Peak, experiencing the unique landscape of the forest firsthand. The programme concluded on Dec 6 with a cultural night involving the local community, strengthening ties between forest managers and residents. According to SFD, such programmes are vital for enhancing professional networks within Malaysia’s forestry sector, particularly in efforts to meet international conservation standards and achieve sustainable management. This visit is expected to catalyse closer cooperation and knowledge exchange between the states of Sabah and Sarawak in preserving the nation’s forest heritage for future generations.

KOTA KINABALU: A three-day knowledge-sharing programme was held for staffs of the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), focusing on the management of a forest reserve in Kinabatangan and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List certification. The visiting SFC delegation and their peers in Sabah got involved in site inspections and briefing sessions on governance mechanisms, conservation efforts and community-based tourism within the protected area of the Pin Supu Forest Reserve. On the first day, the delegation received a comprehensive briefing from the SFD on the processes and criteria for the IUCN certification, a global standard for effective and equitable protected area management. KOPEL Bhd, a community cooperative, shared its successful model for community-based tourism and forest restoration projects. A relaxing river cruise on the Kinabatangan River offered a direct view of the rich biodiversity

The delegation and school management with the contribution presented to SMK Rapat Setia.