Fostering community spirit among high-rise residents

THE Selangor government will introduce the “Rewang Komuniti” programme next year to foster the gotong-royong spirit among strata property residents in urban areas.

State housing and culture committee chairman Borhan Aman Shah said RM500,000 was allocated under Selangor’s 2024 Budget for the pilot project.

“It will be introduced in two areas, likely in Pandan and Ampang constituencies.”

He said his office would work with the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) to decide on the most suitable locations.

Rewang, which is a Javanese term, is a community-based collaborative activity that usually saw neighbours and relatives working together to prepare large-scale functions like weddings.

Award-winning Kebun Komuniti Pegaga uses tech-based methods.

“My office has organised similar programmes in villages. We are now looking at having this in flats or apartments.

“It will be a two-day one-night event with cooking done gotong-royong style,” said Borhan, adding that there would also be motivational programmes, sports, visits to less fortunate residents and other community activities.

“If it’s successful, we may expand the programme to other areas such as Hulu Langat and Kajang.”

The programme, he said, was aimed at encouraging strata property residents to get to know their neighbours and strengthen community ties.

The Tanjung Sepat assemblyman was speaking after presenting prizes to winners of the Selangor Strata Green Space Award 2023 at Midlands Convention Centre in Shah Alam.

The award, organised by LPHS with support from the Selangor Agriculture Department, was themed “sustaining the economy of urban communities through agriculture”.

The award, which recognises successful community gardens in high-rise residential properties, is aimed at creating awareness of agriculture’s role and inculcating green values.

Cash prizes amounting to RM40,500 were presented.

Kebun Komuniti Pegaga in Okid Apartment, Taman Bukit Indah, Ampang emerged the champion.

The group took home a total of RM11,000 for winning the first prize and the innovation special award.

Community garden chairman Datuk Mohammad Aziz Sitam said this was the second year they are winning the innovation title.

“All the cash we win are used for improving our garden.

“We use internet of things (IOT) technology to manage our garden, hydroponic and fertigation methods to grow vegetables as well as a fully automated greenhouse for mushrooms.”

He said all the IOT systems were compacted to fit into the 46.5sq m garden.

Ten active members help with tasks like landscaping, wiring and plantation.

The structures were built using scaffolding or discarded construction materials wherever possible to keep costs low.

“We started our garden in 2015 using conventional methods and started incorporating technology in 2018,” said Mohammad Aziz, adding that they sold surplus produce to the local market.

The community garden, he said, would be focusing on research and development next to learn how best to pack, market and distribute the produce.