05/06/2026

FRIDAY | JUN 5, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Creating safe communal space in public housing o Initiative by ministry provides play and study area for children and revives spirit of community among residents from different races and religions can gather, interact and participate in activities together.

IPOH: Before the establishment of the Ruang Komuniti (Rukom) at Pangsapuri Seri Kepayang here, Nur Hamisah Yaakob constantly worried about the safety of her three children, who spent almost every evening playing around the apartment complex with their friends. Her fears were understandable. The flats sit beside a river and its cool, flowing waters could easily become a deadly trap for children, especially during the dry season when most adults were still at work or occupied with daily chores at home. “After spending hours indoors, children naturally want to play outside. But we cannot monitor or accompany them all day long while they play. “Thankfully, since Rukom was introduced in December last year, my children spend all their time there instead of wandering elsewhere. At Rukom, they meet friends, play congkak , carrom and many other games,” said the 40-year-old homemaker. For 13-year-old K. Kithana, the space has become more than just a recreational corner. Together with her younger siblings, she now uses Rukom as a place to revise lessons, complete homework and build friendships with peers. “In the past, we could only go out for recreation with our parents. Now, when we come here, it feels safer because there are always adults we know around, and it’s also close to the shops,” she said. Located at blocks A and B of the apartment complex, the two Rukom spaces also serve as venues for meetings and community activities, including small celebrations and gatherings. Seri Kepayang Residents Association deputy chairman Mohammad Nordin Badardin said the facilities were created by transforming previously unused void deck areas into functional communal spaces equipped with lights, fans and designated corners for children to study and play. “Each Rukom was built with an allocation of between RM20,000 and RM30,000. We now hope to secure additional funding to build toilets and instal CCTV cameras to further strengthen safety features,” he said. Since the introduction of Rukom, he noted that interactions among residents of different races had become noticeably closer. “I often receive requests from SHAH ALAM: As modern cafes continue reshaping Malaysia’s food culture and lifestyles evolve with younger generations, traditional kopitiams are finding new ways to remain relevant without losing the flavours and values that built them. For many second and third generation operators, preserving a kopitiam today is not simply about maintaining old recipes, but also about keeping family heritage alive while adapting to the expectations of modern customers. At Guan’s Kopitiam, owner Pua Jia Ler, 30, believes tradition and modernity can coexist. The family-run business combines heritage recipes with contemporary presentation, modern interiors and a more inclusive dining experience

Hoe and Yu Siok Kuk – and later inherited by his uncle Foo Cher Ming, aunt Foo Mee May and mother Foo Mei Lee. “Although traditional kopitiam concepts are becoming rarer today, customers still come because they want authentic flavours and nostalgia that are hard to find elsewhere,” Lim said when met by Bernama at the premises in Jalan Stesen, Klang. One of the kopitiam ’s enduring signatures is its homemade kaya made using duck eggs, giving it a richer texture and flavour. For these younger kopitiam operators, preserving tradition is not about resisting change, but about ensuring old flavours and the spirit of kopitiam continue to have a place in modern Malaysian lifestyle. “The successful launch of the 100th Rukom is not the end, but the beginning of a new phase for the minister in creating a more prosperous living environment. “The ministry will continue expanding the Rukom initiative to ensure every public housing community has an inclusive space to interact, innovate and strengthen unity,” Nga had said during the official launch on Dec 6 last year. However, Mohd Rizal said implementing Rukom projects was not without challenges. “One major challenge is the limitation of physical space because not all buildings at the housing schemes have suitable void decks or empty areas that can be converted into community spaces. “Out of 178 locations nationwide, only 81 have void deck facilities or suitable empty spaces, while the rest consist of strata-style housing and landed homes,” he told Bernama. He added that approvals from relevant authorities, including state housing boards and local councils, must also be obtained before any development work can proceed. “The process also requires engagement with residents, preparation of local community profiles and careful budget planning to ensure the projects are implemented effectively and truly benefit the community,” he said. He described the launch of the 100th Rukom at Pangsapuri Seri Kepayang as a major achievement that reflects the ministry’s success in expanding access to people-friendly, safe and socially impactful community spaces. “Rukom is not just a physical space. It is a social space that connects generations, strengthens community networks and nurtures a spirit of togetherness. “The success of these 100 Rukom spaces proves that with clear vision, multi-party support and active community participation, physical development can be transformed into sustainable social development.”

“Built around the concept of ‘Social Integration at Common Space,’ the initiative carries the tagline ‘Bridging Generations, Building Community Connections Through Shared Spaces.’ “The goal is to encourage positive and safe social activities while giving residents from different backgrounds, age groups and ethnicities opportunities to build healthy and strong community relationships, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani,” he said. The Rukom project at Pangsapuri Seri Kepayang, which benefits about 1,600 residents, made history as the 100th Rukom launched nationwide in December last year, marking the achievement of the ministry’s original target.

Housing Project housing schemes. Targeting the development of 100 Rukom spaces nationwide, the initiative is implemented through Urbanice Malaysia, the Centre of Excellence for Urban Sustainability and Community Wellbeing under the ministry. The first Rukom project was launched at Seri Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on July 6, 2023. Urbanice Malaysia chief operating officer Dr Mohd Rizal Osman said under the initiative, unused void decks in housing areas are transformed into conducive social integration centres where residents

residents who want to organise gatherings, simple meals or small birthday celebrations here. “You could say Rukom has revived the spirit of neighbourliness, gotong royong and a sense of care among residents,” he said, adding that residents now take turns cleaning the space daily and work together to beautify the area with landscaping and ornamental plants. Rukom is part of the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s broader commitment under the leadership of its minister Nga Kor Ming to create more harmonious, inclusive and liveable environments in the People’s

The Rukom project at Pangsapuri Seri Kepayang, which benefits about 1,600 residents, made history as the 100th launched nationwide in December last year. – BERNAMAPIC

Preserving kopitiam heritage with modern appeal

growth rather than adopting a franchise model to ensure food quality and service standards remain consistent. “We want to grow steadily without compromising food quality. In the food and beverage industry, sincerity in preparing the dishes is very important, and that is what we want to preserve,” he said. A similar sense of responsibility is shared at Chong Kok Kopitiam, where manager Lim E. Siang, 25, left his career as an accountant in 2024 to continue running the family’s 86-year old business alongside his younger brother, E. Shen, 21. The kopitiam was founded in 1940 by his great-grandfather Foo Wah Ling before being continued by the second generation his grandparents Foo Hee

The name “Guan”, taken from his father Kim Guan’s name, also carries symbolic meaning. In Mandarin, it means root, reflecting the family’s commitment to preserving its origins and traditions even as the business embraces a more contemporary concept. What began with its first branch in Kota Kinabalu in 2019 has since expanded to six outlets, with three in Kota Kinabalu and one each in SS4 in Petaling Jaya, Puchong and Alinea Suites in Shah Alam. Apart from its traditional dishes, the kopitiam ’s blend of Robusta and Arabica coffee has also become one of its signature attractions among customers of different age groups. Despite the expansion, Pua said the business prefers controlled

aimed at customers from different backgrounds. “We still preserve family recipes such as our nasi lemak sambal, inherited from my grandmother. But at the same time, we present them in a more modern setting and style,” he told Bernama recently. One of the kopitiam ’s biggest milestones came last year when it obtained halal certification from the Islamic Development Malaysia Department, allowing the business to reach a broader customer base. “We want people from all backgrounds to enjoy the traditional food we serve. That is why we obtained halal certification, so customers can feel more confident and comfortable dining with family and friends,” he said.