UTAR NEW VILLAGE PROJECT COMMUNITY

REPORT

NAME OF NEW VILLAGE:

LEGEH 叻嘉

KELANTAN

Project carried out by:

Student Name

ID Number

Course

Year /

Trimester

1. Hemirni A/P

Patimanathan 13AAB00337

Bachelor of Social

Science (Hons)

Psychology

Y1/T3

2. Selvi Ranjit A/P

Ranjit Singh 13AAB00412 Bachelor of Social

Science (Hons)

Psychology

YI/T3

DATE OF COMPLETION:

OCTOBER 2013

LEGEH

1

ABSTRACT

Kampung Legeh is a relatively small village located in Kelantan. It was

established in the year 1968. The town closest to Kampung Legeh is Bandar Jeli. Kg

Legeh’s main attraction is its delicious local food which are nasi dagang, nasi berlauk

and roti tempayan. The rubber estates/smallholdings in this area provide villagers

with their main source of income.

LEGEH

2

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY

Kampung Legeh is located in the district of Jeli, Kelantan. This village was

established in the year 1968. Although this village is not well known, it has some

exquisite features which are worth exploring.

There is easy access to this village via roads and bridges. The nearest town,

Bandar Jeli, is 12 km away.

Kg. Legeh was established after the period of Emergency in Malaya. Its

current headman, Mr Wan Zain bin Draman, oversees development projects and

safety and security matters. He also deals with villagers’ problems and concerns.

This village was the home of a noble king, Raja Yusof, many years ago. He

was a leader who was fair to his subjects and concerned for their wellbeing.

The headman Mr.Wan Zain (right)

LEGEH

3

POPULATION, HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION

The total population of this village is 1,229. Although this population size has

increased over the past decade, the growth is at a slow and steady pace. Most

villagers earn a living from the rubber estates/smallholdings in this area.

Some villagers travel by cars and motorcycles while others do so by foot.

There is no public transport and the headman expressed the need for public buses to

help villagers travel to nearby villages and towns.

Access to piped water is handled by JKR (Jabatan Kerja Raya). Residents

also rely on water from the river, Sungai Canal. TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) is

responsible for electricity supply to this village, while the district council handles

garbage disposal. The pour flush system is used for sewage disposal. Villagers have

access to fixed line as well as mobile telephone service.

In 1980, Klinik Desa Legeh was set up. It has two medical assistants and one

midwife. Other facilities include a community hall and a playing field.

Klinik Desa Legeh

LEGEH

4

Playing field

The hall in the community centre

A residential area in the village

LEGEH

5

Another residential area in the village

LEGEH

6

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Most villagers wake up early morning (about 4 a.m.) to tap rubber local

estates/smallholdings. They work through the day till about 6 p.m. every day of the

week. It is only the rain that stops them from tapping rubber.

Villagers also grow lime and durian trees. Most of the harvest from local

orchards are sold. Livestock such as chickens and cows are reared mainly for the

residents’ own consumption. Trees in the nearby forests are sometimes cut down for

construction or renovation of houses. The average monthly income per household is

RM 1,000.00.

Rubber plantation

LEGEH

7

Durian orchard

LEGEH

8

EDUCATION

Tadika Kemas is the only kindergarten in Kg Legeh. It has about 30 students,

a teacher and an assistant teacher. Subjects taught include reading, writing and

arithmetics. Islamic religious teaching is emphasized as Kg Legeh is a predominantly

Malay village.

The primary school which is known as Sekolah Kebangsaan Legeh has 200

students and 25 staff. Compared to the kindergarten, more subjects are taught in this

school. Islamic religious teaching, Pendidikan Islam, is also emphasized. The

government was kind enough to build a hostel for the teachers and staff who come

from places far away from the village. This eases their burden of transportation and

housing. The headman informed us that, so far, no one from the village has managed

to further their studies at tertiary level. Basically, there are limited opportunities and

facilities such as bookstores or a library with e-learning to enhance village children’s

education.

Tadika Kemas – the school building

LEGEH

9

Tadika Kemas – the playground

Entrance to Sekolah Kebangsaan Legeh

LEGEH

10

Sekolah Kebangsaan Legeh – school buildings

Sekolah Kebangsaan Legeh - teachers’ hostel

LEGEH

11

SOCIAL CULTURE & RELIGIOUS PRACTICE

The main religion practiced in Kampung Legeh is Islam. As all residents are

Malays, the main festival celebrated in Kampung Legeh is Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The

village has only one Mosque. There is also a Muslim burial ground which is located

in Kampung Ayer Lanas which is 3km from Kampung Legeh. There is no temple nor

church in this village.

Kg Legeh has only one community centre which is used by its 1,229 residents.

It is equipped with 4 ceiling fans and a small television. When events are held at this

hall, the cooking is also done in this small area.

There is a kindergarten attached to the back of this Community centre and

there is a public library on the first floor. The kindergarten takes in children 3 to 6

years of age. This kindergarten has a small playground next to the community centre.

This playground also doubles as a football field for villagers.

The main entrances to Kampung Legeh Community Centre

LEGEH

12

The community center hall

The Masjid or mosque at Kampung Legeh

LEGEH

13

The only playground in Kampung Legeh

The library located on the first floor of the community center

LEGEH

14

The Kindergarten Playground

LEGEH

15

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

There are many small food stalls in Kampung Legeh. Income from these food

stalls supplements that from the rubber estates. These stalls are family enterprises

which operate till early evening or late at night. Roti tempayang and nasi kerabu are

the most popular and well known dishes sold at local stalls.

A small stall at Kampung Legeh

Roti Tempayang, a popular dish in Kampung Legeh

LEGEH

16

PROBLEMS & NEEDS OF THE VILLAGERS

The main problem in Kg Legeh is the threat of dengue fever. The number of

dengue cases from this village has been increasing in recent years. The blocked

drains and poor management of the village’s sewage are possible reasons behind this

problem. So far, no preventive measure has been taken.

The filthy surrounding of a local hut

LEGEH

17

RECOMMENDATION

The local authorities need to upgrade Kg Legeh’s drainage system. This

could prevent flooding during heavy rain as well as reduce possible breeding ground

for aedes mosquitoes.

The roads need to be widened to cater for the increasing number of motor

vehicles. This could also encourage tourists to visit Kg Legeh which has potential for

homestay program. Urban dwellers who wish to experience the relaxed lifestyle in a

village will probably find Kg Legeh an ideal weekend gateway.

LEGEH

18

CONCLUSION

This project team’s journey to Kg Legeh has taught its members many things.

We see opportunities for cooperative efforts between government and villagers. For

example, upgrades of local roads, public transport and drainage system could help the

village attract visitors and tourists.

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: 03-79582628 ext 8274, 8656, 8269 (Klang Valley Campus)

05- 4688888 ext 2295/2297/2299/2300 (Perak Campus)