Thursday, 25 August 2011

PERKAS brings Hari Raya Joy to Semai

PERKAS brought Hari Raya joy to the Semai Muslims when Raya packet were distributed to all during their last class before Raya at the Surau Al-Hidayah in Pos Betau on August 23rd.  The Raya packets were courtesy of  Masjid Al-Hidayah Taman Melawati, K.L. The Semai never received any Raya packets at all during Hari Raya season all these years. Though the Raya contribution were small compared to what their city siblings get, they were nevertheless very grateful.

Haj-bound grandma Laila Abdullah receiving he Raya packet. Her Haji package is fully sponsored by well wishers thru' efforts from PERKAS.
Kids, men, women, even toddlers were given Hari Raya packets
The Muslim Semai community after receiving their Raya Packets at the Al-Falah Surau, Pos Betau.

After receiving the small token, they were also invited to take home hands-me-down clothes donated by the public initiated by PERKAS thru' its collection centre at Masjid Melawati. It was the second batch of donation from PERKAS in a week, with the third one coming after raya. Prior to that, they were treated to a berbuka puasa (breaking of fast) at the Ecolife Basecamp, followed by Magrib, Isyak & terawih prayers.

Leftover is gold...Semai going thru hands-me-down collected from the public. To them, it's their Raya attire.

Another event will be held after Hari Raya where more goodies will be given out to the Semai community whom were long overlooked by the public.

Friday, 12 August 2011

Ecolife Basecamp: Come join the Sewang dance...

Ecolife Basecamp: Come join the Sewang dance...: "The colourful , mystical Sewang ritual dance ...accompanied by 'live' music from bamboo instruments & coordinated 'wailing' of the Se..."

Sunday, 7 August 2011

Teaching the Semai to make soap

In its effort to assist the Semai to expand their commercial interest, cottage-styled soap-making industry was introduced last month at Ecolife basecamp. The effort was made possible by PERKAS thru' Sunway University SIFE program.

Participants getting the feel of soap making.

They short course which drew such an interest from the Semai womenfolks especially, covers the entire process of soap making, which is rather simple actually. They were provided with the raw material (from Palm Oil), simple pots, portable stove, mould and even packing. Lessons were conducted hands-on over 2 weeks in July by Sunway. More classes are expected after the Hari Raya holidays.

The end product (left) and the mould used in the soap making.

The Women Ministry has agreed to assist in marketing the enviromentally-friendly soaps. We do hope for more of such knowledge to be passed on to our friends in Pos Betau.

Saturday, 6 August 2011

Coop for Semai

Pos Betau, 5th Aug.

ANGKASA initiated a cooperative movement for the local Semai before the breaking of the fast. The cooperative will mix local Semai expertise with urban talent. A protem committee was elected & approved on the spot by the ANGKASA President himself. PERKAS is expected to play a role in the cooperative.

Tok Batin Ahmad Selalu (middle) will soon lead the coop.

PERKAS berbuka dengan ANGKASA

Pos Betau, 5 Ogos

Buat pertama kalinya dalam sejarah Pos Betau, sembahyang berjemaah terawih diadakan

Buat julung-julung kalinya, masyarakat Islam kaum Semai yang terpisah jauh dari pengetahuan & kebudayaan Islam dapat berbuka puasa, sembahyang berjemaah magrib, isyak & terawih selepas lebih dari 20 tahun!

Buat pertama kali juga, azan Magrib & Isyak kedengaran semula setelah sekian lama surau Pos Betau yang terbenam di dalam semak dihidupkan semula oleh PERKAS.

Peritiwa bersejarah ini terjadi apabila PERKAS, Ecolife Basecamp & ANGKASA, selaku penaja majlis tersebut bergabung tenaga untuk mengadakannya di Surau Al-Falah yang telah diubahsuai oleh kerajaan baru-baru ini.

Turut hadir untuk memeriahkan upacara itu termasuklah ADUN Jelai Y.B. Dato' Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Presiden ANGKASA Y.Bhg Prof Dato' Dr Haji Mohd Ali b. Haji Baharum serta kakitangan ANGKASA, Tok Batin Ahmad Selalu, Ustaz-ustaz dari Jab Agama Islam K.Lipis, Pengurus JKOA, FELCRA, Tok-Tok Batin, Ketua Balai Polis Sg Koyan serta AJK Masjid Al-Hidayah Taman Melawati, K.L.

YB Dato' Wan Rosdy memberi ucapan di surau Al Falah, yang dihadiri  juga oleh Presiden Angkasa (bersila kiri, baju biru) serta Nazir Masjid Al-Hidayah Tmn Melawati K.L.(kanan)

President ANGKASA telah menghadiahkan sekotak buah kurma kepada semua hadirin di Surau, selain dari mengimamkan sembahyang terawih bersama dengan 3 lagi imam.

Mesyuarat singkat untuk menubuhkan koperasi orang asli kawasan Pos Betau juga sempat diadakan sebelum berbuka puasa bersama dengan masyarakat Islam tempatan diadakan dalam keadaan yang sungguh meriah.

Kakitangan ANGKASA telah menderma buak kurma kepada semua yang hadir pada hari bersejarah itu.

Malah, penduduk di situ amat gembira dan berterima kasih kepda PERKAS & ANGKASA kerana dapat bersama dengan masyarakat luar setelah kian lama dipinggirkan.

Berbuka bersama dengan masyarakat Islam tempatan.

Semoga usaha murni seperti ini dapat diteruskan di masa-masa hadapan.

Wednesday, 3 August 2011

Persatuan Sahabat Kaum Semai Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor (PERKAS): PERKAS is born...

Persatuan Sahabat Kaum Semai Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor (PERKAS)
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor  Association of the Friends of the Semai Tribe.
: PERKAS is born...: "The Semai kids of Pos Betau...we'll be there to lend our support Persatuan Sahabat Kaum Semai Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor (PERKAS ) akhirn..."