Making their mark: Several students from SK Sungai Berua seen lending their handprints to craft the vibrant Jalur Gemilang in Kuala Berang, Terengganu. — Bernama
KUALA BERANG: Thirty-three students from SK Sungai Berua here have added vibrancy to the national month celebrations by crafting a vibrant Jalur Gemilang using their handprints.
Head of Programme (Community Development) at the Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Dr Norhayati Ab Manaf said the activity also involved 40 students from SK Tengku Mahmud in Besut.
“The aim of our programme, held in collaboration with these two schools, is to enliven National Day celebrations and instil a sense of patriotism among students.“It also provides Orang Asli students from SK Sungai Berua and SK Tengku Mahmud with an opportunity to interact with each other,” she told reporters at a programme with the Kampung Sungai Berua Orang Asli community at SK Sungai Berua yesterday, Bernama reported.
Norhayati said the Jalur Gemilang, completed in just under an hour on a white cloth measuring 4m by 2m, will be flown to the Jungle School set up by UMT in the Orang Asli village in 2021.
Meanwhile, UMT deputy vice chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Marinah Mohd Ariffin said the programme was also held to ensure that the Orang Asli community was not left out of the shared spirit of patriotism and love for the country.
“As we talk about Malaysia Madani and Jiwa Merdeka, we need to work together to ensure that the young Orang Asli generation can also embrace and experience the spirit of independence,” she said.
Marinah said in addition to creating the Jalur Gemilang using the handprint technique, UMT also carried out a programme to install flags at all 103 houses in Kampung Sungai Berua.
She said that UMT, particularly through the Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, has built strong connections with the Orang Asli community in Kampung Sungai Berua since 2021 through various programmes.