UTAR NEW VILLAGE COMMUNITY PROJECT

REPORT

NAME OF NEW VILLAGE:

KUPANG 古邦

KEDAH DARUL AMAN

Project carried out by:

Student Name

Student ID Course Year/Semester

1. Leong Wooi Boon 11ADB06549 Statistical Computing and

Operations Research

Y 2 T 2

DATE OF COMPLETION:

DECEMBER 2012

KUPANG

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ABSTRACT

Kupang, a district in Kedah Darul Aman, is one of the existing 450 new villages

which were set up to curb the intense activities of communism during the early

years of the federation of Malaya. Amounting to an area of several hundred

hectares, it is located 5 km west of Baling. Kupang was established in the year

1960. To date, its average household size is approximately 4. Most of the people

here own and travel by cars and motorcycles. Besides, buses also serve as a main

public transportation among the people here. First of all, Kupang is heavily

populated by Malays with a population size of 47083, followed by Chinese with a

total of 2189, Indians with a total of only 265 and last but not least Siamese with

a population size of 1357. The various ethnic groups live in harmony with each

other. Kupang is hardly invaded by modern buildings yet and one can enjoy the

lush greenery and tranquil lifestyle here.

KUPANG

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HISTORY

How Kupang got its name – A shell species

Just like most of the new villages in Malaysia, Kupang was built during

the proclamation of The Emergency by the British colonial government in 1952.

The village was guarded so that villagers would neither contact nor provide

supplies to members of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM).

According to Sergeant Major Sabri who was on-duty at the police station

in Kupang, when we visited, the name “Kupang” originated from a type of

crustacean found in the Kupang River. In the early 1900s, there were no roads

built to link villages with the main town. So, villagers would have to travel to and

fro by the river. That was when the villagers noticed the “Kupang” in the shallow

waters and river banks every time they reached ashore.

The villagers are of incomparable friendliness and generosity. They

welcomed me with open arms regardless of where I came from. The cooperation

that they gave me was more than what I had expected. Although underdeveloped,

it can be seen that the villagers here enjoy their traditional peaceful lifestyle.

KUPANG

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EDUCATION

There is hardly any recreational or entertainment centres here. Hence, the

villagers in Kupang experience peaceful and quiet life. The villagers focus their

attention on their families and their children’s education. Of all 13 primary

schools in Kupang, two are Chinese schools; one is a Tamil school while the

remaining 10 are national schools. Below are some of the primary schools

available in Kupang:

Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Sadek

SJK (C) Seng Yok

The emphasis of the residents in Kupang on education is reflected in the

number of education institutions: 5 national secondary schools, 1 community

college and 4 religious schools.

KUPANG

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Sekolah Menengah Agama (Arab) Diniah Islamiah

One of the religious schools

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Syed Abu Bakar

KUPANG

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One of the 4 religious schools –Sridu kupang

Setting these schools aside, there is also an orphanage in Kupang. To date,

it accommodates 130 children of whom many are Malays and 20 teachers.

Place for the orphans to perform prayers

The dormitory for the orphans (Boys)

KUPANG

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The management office of the orphanage

The Canteen

Left- Dormitory (Girls), Right- Play area

KUPANG

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Name of the orphanage

The number of educational institutions has increased significantly over

the years. Despite the location of Kupang in such a secluded area, the villagers

give strong emphasis to their children’s education. The people here want their

children to excel in their studies and if possible, further their tertiary education

elsewhere.

KUPANG

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ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Paddy fields in Kupang

Some of the paddy fields around Kupang

Even though the Malaysian economy grows in tandem with this

globalized world, agriculture still remains one of the prominent economic

activities in Kupang. Paddy is the main crop in this area. Besides, there are also

rubber and banana plantations in the village. These crops are grown at Kupang

probably because of its flat terrain. According to one of the villagers, their average

monthly income is around RM 2000. Over the years, the villagers have extended

their sources of income to cow, ox and goat rearing.

KUPANG

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Rubber estates

Rubber estates around Kupang

KUPANG

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Cobbler by the roadside

Food stalls

KUPANG

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Coffee shop to cater to the Chinese

More food stalls and a used-car dealer

KUPANG

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SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

Since Kupang is highly populated by Malays, it is no surprise that most

of the people here are Muslims. There are exactly 12 mosques which can be found

in Kupang. Apart from these mosques, I have spotted only one Chinese temple

around Kupang.

One of the 12 majestic mosques in Kupang

One of the 12 majestic mosques in Kupang

KUPANG

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Place of worship for the Chinese in Kupang

In terms of social security, Kupang is a peaceful town with very low

crime rate. According to Sergeant Major Sabri, only minor cases of thefts have

been reported. For leisure activities, villagers would gather around and play

badminton with their neighbours in a badminton hall here.

Kupang Badminton Hall

The villagers here are mostly in the pink of health as there 13 clinics

centres to tend to them should they come down with any disease. There is also a

post office built here. Housewives can do their marketing at a nearby market and

shoplots are also built to encourage villagers to open more businesses.

KUPANG

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Clinic

Post office

KUPANG

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The lively town in Kupang

Shoplots/ stalls available at kupang- potential business

opportunities for villagers

KUPANG

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Market in Kupang

For transportation purposes, the villagers here mostly travel by bus – an

affordable yet environmental-friendly option to move around the village and to

other villages and towns.

Public transport in Kupang

KUPANG

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Bus stop in Kupang

HOUSING AND POPULATION

The houses here are mostly made of wood. Some of them have modern

design and are made of concrete.

Wooden house in Kupang

KUPANG

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Wooden and concrete house

Wooden shops

KUPANG

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A double-story wooden house

KUPANG

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PROBLEMS

The main concern of the villagers is flash floods which are caused by its

poor drainage system. Rainy seasons have always brought floods to the village.

Water from drains in the village easily overflows whenever there is heavy rain.

Narrow drain

Another problem to be addressed is the condition of roads here. These

roads are too narrow and lack proper street lighting The safety of motorists and

villagers is at great risk because of this situation.

The narrow roads

KUPANG

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RECOMMENDATIONS

Drastic actions need to be taken to solve the problems mentioned above.

Firstly, to overcome the dreadful drainage system, the local government should

hold projects to widen and deepen the drains around Kupang to enable better

water flow. With this, flash floods can be avoided. Next, the local government

should install more street lamps along every road in Kupang for the safety of

villagers. The authorities also need to look into widening some of the roads.

DISCLAIMER:

Information contained in this report was compiled by the University’s students on voluntary basis.

Although every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the report, the University accepts no

responsibility whatsoever for any errors or omissions, if any, the University reserves the right to

make changes on the information at any time without prior notice.

Should there be any queries regarding contents of the report, please contact:

Department of Soft Skills Competency

Tel: 03-78582628 ext 8274, 8656, 8269 (Klang Valley Campus)

05- 4688888 ext 2297/2299/2300 (Perak Campus)