JKKN BACKS JOHOR GOVT'S MOVE TO MAKE BATU PAHAT A CULTURAL DISTRICT

BATU PAHAT, 23 Nov (Bernama) -- The National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) has backed the Johor government's initiative to declare Batu Pahat as a cultural district, after assessing its activities.

JKKN director-general Mohd Amran Mohd Haris said the department will provide assistance and encouragement to strengthen the initiative and acknowledged that the idea is a commendable move.

“We see that Johor, especially Batu Pahat, is very active in cultural activities, and one of them is kompang, with several competitions being held and actively participated in by youths,” he told reporters, at the launch of JKKN's Kampung Angkat MADANI (MADANI Adopted Village) initiative at Kampung Parit Abdul Rahman, here, today.

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Mohd Amran said that, as a start, JKKN has donated instruments to the Kampung Parit Abdul Rahman kompang group. This includes kompang, jidur and performance attire.

“We will also provide professional trainers to teach the village children how to play kompang. We must acknowledge that kompang is one of the cultural activities which must be preserved, and that it is strongly associated with Johor's identity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the MADANI Adopted Village initiative is being implemented in two locations, namely Kampung Parit Abdul Rahman and Kampung Parit Mantan, both selected for upgrades to basic facilities, including surau, mosques and community halls.

“Facilities undergoing upgrades and repairs include floors, walls, and roofs damaged by previous floods. Additionally, JKKN has installed 20 units of solar lights along village roads and cemetery areas,” he added.

-- BERNAMA