January 2026

PAGOH, 16 Jan – JomBuKe atau “Jom Mari Bukit Kepong”, sebuah inisiatif berasaskan komuniti yang memfokuskan kepada Mukim Bukit Kepong, telah dianugerahkan Anugerah Emas dan Anugerah Paling Berimpak di Simposium University in Action ke-8 anjuran Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM). Pengiktirafan ini diberikan atas usaha murni projek tersebut dalam memperkasakan warisan tempatan, identiti, dan pemprofilan komuniti. Projek ini menumpukan kepada pemprofilan komuniti Bukit Kepong secara mendalam melalui pendokumentasian struktur sosial, sejarah, sumber pendapatan, dan realiti kehidupan seharian. Langkah ini diambil bagi menghargai kekayaan budaya mukim tersebut yang melangkaui naratif tragedi yang berlaku 76 tahun lalu. Pasukan projek bekerjasama rapat dengan penduduk setempat untuk memahami mukim tersebut sebagai sebuah ruang yang hidup dan berkembang, dibentuk oleh memori, titik peluh, dan pengalaman kolektif. Susulan kejayaan di simposium tersebut, JoMBuKe kini melangkah ke hadapan dengan dua inisiatif utama bagi memastikan impak jangka panjang dan ketersediaan kepada orang awam:. Penerbitan Buku Mewah (Coffee Table Book) didedikasikan khas untuk Mukim Bukit Kepong sebagai arkib visual dan naratif. Buku ini menghimpunkan koleksi foto, kisah-kisah menarik, segala maklumat perhubungan perusahaan-perusahaan, pendokumentasian budaya-budaya dan tradisi dan sejarah yang dikumpul sepanjang projek berlangsung. Matlamatnya adalah untuk memelihara warisan tempatan serta memperkenalkan Bukit Kepong sebagai tapak kepentingan budaya dan sejarah kepada khalayak yang lebih luas. Inisiatif kedua, Bengkel Wikimedia bertujuan melatih peserta dengan kemahiran pendokumentasian Bukit Kepong secara digital melalui platform seperti Wikipedia dan Wikimedia Commons. Usaha ini memperkasakan komuniti dan ahli projek untuk menyumbang maklumat tempatan yang tepat ke ruang digital global. Hasilnya, jumlah foto di bawah kategori Bukit Kepong dalam Wikimedia Commons telah meningkat secara drastik daripada 10 keping kepada 167 keping foto. Penerimaan dua anugerah tersebut mengesahkan komitmen projek terhadap penyelidikan berimpak dan penglibatan komuniti, sekali gus membuktikan keberkesanan integrasi antara usaha akademik dan gerakan akar umbi. JoMBuKe berhasrat untuk meletakkan Bukit Kepong pada persada yang sewajarnya tanpa hanya menyandarkannya kepada tragedi semata-mata. Projek ini menjadi contoh bagaimana naratif tempatan yang didokumentasikan dengan teliti mampu membuka minda masyarakat terhadap keindahan tulen Bukit Kepong—selari dengan seruan namanya, JoMBuKe.

By: Fatimah Farhana Mohd Iqbal PAGOH, Jan 8—The date that marked the culmination of weeks of preparation for Projek Entiti: Storyteller, a theatrical production staged from 8.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. at Auditorium 6, Shared Facilities EduHub Pagoh. On that evening, the collective efforts of 70 committee members came together in a single performance that carried both strong emotions and a clear moral message. The production was supported by multiple divisions working closely behind the scenes, including Hicom, Stagestars (Cast, Extras and Cast Coordinators), Stageleaders (Stage Manager, Director, Vocal Instructors, Script Editor and Emcees), Muadrobe, Pubpro, Audio & Lighting, Propmaster, Preptech, Specta, and Ticketing. Each team played an important role in ensuring the performance ran smoothly, both technically and artistically. Storyteller was approached from a psychological and symbolic perspective, focusing on human emotions, loss, and inner struggles. Inspired by Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:185, “Every soul shall taste death”, the narrative invited the audience to reflect on life’s impermanence, the process of acceptance (redha), and the importance of moving forward after loss. In line with Islamic values, the production avoided any form of provocation or engagement with the alam ghaib, maintaining clear ethical and spiritual boundaries throughout the creative process. On the day of the performance, the atmosphere was marked by quiet anticipation and focus. Despite the fatigue from weeks of preparation, the cast delivered their performances with sincerity and depth, supported by technical execution from the backstage teams. Audience responses, including moments of silence, emotional reactions, and applause, reflected the impact of the performance and the clarity of its message. The production process also emphasised spiritual mindfulness. A few days prior to the show day, murabbi sessions were conducted and collective dua was practiced as part of the team’s efforts to remain grounded and focused. These measures reinforced the importance of intention (niyyah), effort (ikhtiar), and reliance upon Allah SWT (tawakkul) throughout the project. As stated by the Program Manager, Zikri Zamri, “We should always check our intention. This performance is meant to raise awareness and convey a moral lesson to the audience. We are not doing this merely just for fun.” In reflection, Projek Entiti: Storyteller stood as more than a theatrical production. It became a collective journey of growth and resilience, reminding everyone involved that while life is temporary, meaningful stories have the power to inspire reflection, strengthen values, and bring people together.

BUKIT KEPONG, Jan 1 — Months of fieldwork, interconnection and shared moments with the local community culminated in the preparation of a coffee table book that documents the many layers of Bukit Kepong, from its defining historical legacy to the everyday lives that continue to shape the area today. The Coffee Table brings together brief narratives and visuals on Bukit Kepong’s historical sites, including the legacy of the 1950 incident, alongside community-driven initiatives such as agro-based enterprises, homestays, small businesses, traditional crafts and the dialect unique to the area. Rather than presenting Bukit Kepong as a static historical site, the publication reflects a living community shaped by memory, labour and continuity. Prior to its official launch, selected materials from the book were presented to the village heads and the penghulu as part of an engagement session. Bukit Kepong penghulu Tuan Hamzah, in his remarks, described the project as a learning process and welcomed the efforts made to work closely with the community, noting that such initiatives test commitment and responsibility when engaging with people of diverse backgrounds. “ For a long time, Bukit Kepong has been known only for the attack on the police station. However, this coffee table book broadens perspectives by revealing the many other unique aspects, events and histories that exist in Bukit Kepong.” said Penghulu Bukit Kepong.” said the Penghulu. Throughout the project, cooperation from the local leadership and residents played a central role in its completion. The warmth and openness extended by the people of Bukit Kepong, from the early stages of the previous semester until the final phase of production, became an integral part of the book’s narrative. The Coffee Table Book stands as a record of shared effort preserving history while acknowledging the people who continue to give Bukit Kepong its meaning.