UTAR NEW VILLAGE COMMUNITY PROJECT

REPORT

NAME OF NEW VILLAGE:

SAUK 寿活

PERAK

Project carried out by:

Student Name

ID Number

Course

Year/Semester

1. Woo Wen Bin 1005933 Banking and Finance Y2S1

2. Wong Kah Yen 1104098 Banking and Finance Y1S1

3. Thai Kok Jing 1003967 Banking and Finance Y2S1

DATE OF COMPLETION:

SEPTEMBER 2012

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ABSTRACT

Kampung Baru Sauk is a new village which is located about 10 km away from the

town of Kuala Kangsar, Perak. The majority of residents in this village works as

farmers or run their own small business. The village headman, Mr He, was not

availableon the day of our visit to Kg Baru Sauk. Fortunately, Mr Loh, another

prominent figure in the village, was able to assists us. Mr. Loh is the former

headmaster of the primary school in the village. He has lived in the village for more

than 30 years. Mr. Loh took us around the village and explained its history and other

aspects of the village. He welcomed us at the arch of the village when we arrived.

Although we visited Kampung Baru Sauk for only one day, Mr. Loh was able to

provide us a lot of important information about the village.

The arch of Kampung Baru Sauk with 3 languages: Chinese, Indian and Malay

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HISTORY

“Sauk” is a Malay word which refers to a tool to catch fish from the river.

This village was established after World War II. It was one of the New Villages set

up by the British colonial government to prevent the Chinese form providing supplies

to the Communists insurgents. The vast majority of the populations are Chinese. The

Indians and Malays form a minority.

The satellite view of Kampung Baru Sauk

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The photo with Mr. Loh and his daughter, Mrs Chew Bee Bee

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POPULATION

There are approximately 800 Chinese living in Sauk and those approximately

200 houses. In addition, there are about 200 Indian Residents who live in

approximately 30 houses.Most Malays live in the outskirts of the village. Mr. Loh

informed us that all 3 ethnic groups live in harmony. For example, during the

previous Lantern Festivals organized by the Buddhist Society, all 3 ethnic groups

participate. Below are the pictures of houses in the village.

Types of houses

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ECONOMY

Sauk new village is an agriculture based village.Most villagers own Rubber

small holdings.Tapping rubber is their main daily activity. At the time of this research,

the price of rubber was increasing. As a result, some people left their jobs in the city

to help their families tap rubber.Some estate owners also plant fruits such as durian,

rambutan and mangosteen. In addition, there are small family-run businesses which

sell daily necessities or food.

One of the attractions of Saukis its delicious food. There are 5 restaurants in

the village and one local specially is its river fish. During holidays, the restaurants are

busy and many villagers who work in the cities return to enjoy the delicious food in

the village.

One of the local restaurants

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A local restaurant which has been operating for many years

Auto-repair workshop

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Groceries shop

Hardware shop

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A stall by the roadside

Lifestyle

Children in the village spend their leisure hours playing basketball and

badminton. Many enjoy cycling around the village. The secondary school children

spend much of their time at school in Kuala Kangsar and travelling to and from

school.

Older folks in the village are health conscious. They relax by practicing Taichi,

going for walks or jogging in the morning at the local park. This is often followed

with breakfast at the food court near the park.

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EDUCATION

Sauk has a kindergarten and a Chinese primary school. The primary school

has about 50 studentsand 15 teachers. It has 10 classrooms, 1 office for teachers, 1

principal’s office, a canteen and a library. The Rukun Tetangga of the village built a

kindergarten which takes in children between 5-7 years old. There are 30 students in

the kindergarten currently.

Since there is no secondary school in this village, most students who

completed primary school education will pursue their secondary school education at

SMK TsungWah, Kuala Kangsar.

The Chinese Primary School in the village. This is the only school in the village.

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SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTISE

Most of the villagers are Chinese. Buddhism is widely practiced and the

village has a Registered Buddhist Society with its own building. The Buddhist

Society has about 150 members who organize processions in the village to celebrate

Wesak day. The Chinese also celebrate the Lantern Festival and Duan Wu Jie.

The Indians are mainly Hindus and they worship at the local Hindu temple.

There is also a mosque in the village. The 3 ethic groups share in the joy and

activities of each other’s festivals.

There is a mosque near the entrance of the village

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Front view of the Buddhist Society building

The main shrine in the Buddhist Society building

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INFRASTRUCTURE

Basically, the infrastructure and facilities in the village are satisfactory. The

electric and water supply in the village are as good as that in the cities. There is a

small police station in the village.

There is an indoor basketball court which is very popularamong the youths.

Many basketball competitions are held in this well-maintained court. The village also

has a multi-purpose hall for meetings and gatherings.

In the center of the village, there is a small market. Beside the market, there

are stalls where villagers normally have their breakfast as well as chitchat with each

other. This is the liveliest spot in the village.

Market

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Basketball court. It is a popular place among teenagers and children

Before the basketball court was constructed, village youths would gather here

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Police station in the village

Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia office. Villagers bring up local issues and complaints to the personnel

at this office.

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MCA office in the village. Villagers highlight local issues and complaints at this office.

A road with tar surface and good drainage-an example of many roads in the village

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PROBLEMS

The major problem in this village is the lack of job opportunities for its

younger population. As a result, many youths have left for work in the cities. This

leads to an aging population structures in the village.

There are minor problems with public amenities Sauk:

i. There are roads without streetlights

ii. Streetlights are not working

iii. Signboard of “Sauk” along the highway is too small and often missed by

motorists.

“Sauk” signboard along the highway is too small

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SUGGESTIONS

The authorities need to work with residents of Sauk on reviving the local

economy and retaining youths in the village. Local natural resources need to be

developed to provide employment opportunities for the younger population.

The villagers are encouraged to raise local issues with personnel at the Parti

Gerakan Rakyat and the MCA’s offices in Sauk. Problems such as poor lighting along

the streets and inadequate signage along the highway could be deal with through

appeals to these parties.

DISCLAIMER:

Information contained in this report was compiled by the University’s students on voluntary basis.

Although every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the report, the University accepts no

responsibility whatsoever for any errors or omissions, if any, the University reserves the right to make

changes on the information at any time without prior notice.

Should there be any queries regarding contents of the report, please contact:

Department of Soft Skills Competency

Tel: 03-78582628 ext 8274/8656/8269 (Klang Valley Campus)

05- 4688888 ext 2297/2299/2300 (Perak Campus)