His Royal Highness Of Perlis Meet Up With The Villagers

PADANG BESAR- His Royal Highness Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail had  a feast with the villagers of ‘Kampung Kok Mak/Mawa’ here, today. The event provides opportunity for the people to get to know and understand better the roles of our royal institution.

At the event, His Royal Highness had the chance to spend some time with more than 500 villaggers for lunch.  In his speech, he said the Malay culture should be practiced and passed down to future generations so that it will not be forgotten.

The program was organized by Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) in collaboration with the Kok Mak / Mawa Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK). It was held in conjunction with the closing of a project by ‘Pusat Kajian Institusi Raja Malaysia’ (PKIRM) UniMAP, a Cross Border Research: Understanding Socio-Cultural Community.

Also present at the event was Her Royal Highness of Perlis, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of UniMAP, HRH Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.

HRH Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, who is also the Chancellor of UniMAP, said the Malays are famous with their manners and customs. Other manners and customs that they still hold to till now, among others, are respecting and looking out for their neighbours, and valuing their guests. These customs made them to be courteous and having good manners. 

Meanwhile, UniMAP Vice-chancellor,  Datuk Prof Dr Zul Azhar Zahid Jamal said more than 700 residents of ‘Kampung Kok Mak / Mawa’ speak Thai language in their everyday life, making it unique to be selected by PKIRM to undergo the study.

The cross border study is aimed to build up strong relationship between UniMAP and the villagers. This will help to make better of facilities in the village with the assistance and expertise from UniMAP. It is in relation with the Perlis state mission to get a ‘city’ status in 2030.

“We have organized numerous programs to keep the relationship between the citizens of Perlis and UniMAP closer. Among others, the event today is held by having ‘gotong-royong’ to prepare lunch and then, playing a few traditional games, such as ‘Batu Seremban’ and ‘Congkak’ that are famous here in Perlis.”

“I have a strong feeling that these programs will make our relationship grow.”

Among the food served for lunch is beef curry with bamboo shoots, some vegetables, and young papaya as side dish salad.