KAMPUNG SATEY PANTAI KRT OFFERS INTEGRATED SERVICES, GENERATES SUSTAINABLE INCOME

By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen

BATU PAHAT, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The Kampung Satey Pantai Neighbourhood Watch Area (KRT) here has successfully positioned its activity centre as a community ‘one-stop centre’ by offering comprehensive facilities, ranging from event spaces and equipment to food preparation and support services, enabling it to generate sustainable income.

Its chairman, Rozali Sharif, 54, said the integrated approach allows a wide range of community activities, ceremonies and programmes to be conducted at a single location without the need to engage external service providers.

“Our KRT activity centre functions as a one-stop centre. Residents can rent a venue, use audio equipment, order food through the community kitchen and access other services in a single package, depending on their needs,” he said when met by Bernama here.

Services offered include the rental of function rooms and audio equipment, operation of a community kitchen, clothing orders and breakfast sales, all of which have received encouraging responses from local residents and the surrounding community.

“We purchased the audio equipment gradually at a cost of about RM5,000, and we have since recovered the investment as it is frequently rented, including by local members,” he said.

He added that the one-stop centre concept is also supported by the Ministry of National Unity through a RM60,300 grant for the implementation of a community kitchen, which has generated income of about RM1,000 per month over the past year.

“When people rent our premises as a one-stop centre, food and beverage needs are also provided through our community kitchen, based on the requirements of the customers,” he said.

He said facilities at the KRT activity centre continue to be upgraded, including the construction of a shed using its own funds, as well as allocations from the Rukun Tetangga Progresif initiative and contributions from Yayasan Makmur Batu Pahat, to further support the operation of the one-stop centre.

Meanwhile, Rozali, who has served as chairman for 22 years, said duties among the 21 KRT members are systematically divided to ensure the smooth operation of the centre.

In addition to management and welfare responsibilities, the KRT also conducts security patrols, provides carpentry services, offers free tuition classes and organises various community awareness programmes, involving more than 2,000 residents of various races.

The success of this approach has seen the Kampung Satey Pantai KRT recognised as the 2024 Progressive KRT, in addition to securing the Best Neighbourhood Management Category title and being named overall champion at the 2023 National Premier Rukun Tetangga Awards.

He added that the one-stop centre concept not only generates income but also strengthens the spirit of volunteerism, cooperation and interaction among residents.

According to him, a friendly approach coupled with continuous promotion through WhatsApp and banners has helped highlight the role of the KRT as the heart of the community.

“If they are interested, we make them the backbone of the community. If they are less interested, they are still residents we need to support,” he said.

In this regard, he said the slogan ‘Mesra Sekampung, Rukun Setaman’ (Friendly Neighbours, Harmonious Community) serves as a guiding principle in strengthening the role of the KRT as a one-stop centre for the local community.

-- BERNAMA