SEJATI MADANI: SERI PERCHA HOMESTAY SHOWS PROMISING RETURNS

ALOR GAJAH, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- In just three months of operation, Seri Percha Homestay is already reaping rewards, quietly earning a net profit of about RM2,300 a month.

Kampung Hutan Percha village development and security committee (JPKK) secretary Sapinah Sagap, 41, said they applied online for the Sejati Komuniti MADANI (Sejati MADANI) fund last June.

“A month later, we were informed that the federal government approved RM93,000 for two Sejati MADANI projects: converting the Felda Hutan Percha Youth Office into a homestay at a cost of RM38,000, and a tent and event equipment rental business costing RM55,000.

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“The homestay was renovated in September and officially opened on Oct 9 by the state Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman, and Machap Jaya assemblyman, Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem,” she told Bernama today.

Sapinah said the homestay idea came after noticing couples using the village hall struggled to find nearby accommodation for their weddings.

She said the homestay rents for RM200 a night, weekdays or weekends, with profits reinvested in village welfare and small-scale community programmes.

“For example, for this year’s National Month celebrations, we needed around RM13,000 to run activities and four weekly health and recreational sports programmes.

“Through this business, we no longer need to request donations from the local assemblyman, as we now have our own funds from homestay and event tent rentals, generating around RM2,000 a month in addition to the allocations provided to the JPKK,” she added.

Sejati MADANI is a government initiative that aims to stimulate community-level economic activities and increase income by providing funds ranging from RM50,000 to RM100,000 to deserving communities.

-- BERNAMA