The National Department for Culture and Arts backs Johor’s initiative to declare Batu Pahat a cultural district, citing active kompang participation
BATU PAHAT: The National Department for Culture and Arts has endorsed the Johor government’s initiative to declare Batu Pahat a cultural district.
JKKN director-general Mohd Amran Mohd Haris said the department will provide assistance and encouragement to strengthen the initiative.
“We see that Johor, especially Batu Pahat, is very active in cultural activities, and one of them is kompang, with several competitions being held and actively participated in by youths,” he told reporters.
Mohd Amran was speaking at the launch of JKKN’s Kampung Angkat MADANI initiative at Kampung Parit Abdul Rahman.
He said JKKN has donated instruments to the Kampung Parit Abdul Rahman kompang group as a start.
This includes kompang, jidur and performance attire.
“We will also provide professional trainers to teach the village children how to play kompang,” he added.
Mohd Amran emphasized that kompang must be preserved as it is strongly associated with Johor’s identity.
The MADANI Adopted Village initiative is being implemented in two locations.
Kampung Parit Abdul Rahman and Kampung Parit Mantan were selected for upgrades to basic facilities.
These include improvements to surau, mosques and community halls.
Facilities undergoing upgrades include floors, walls, and roofs damaged by previous floods.
JKKN has also installed 20 units of solar lights along village roads and cemetery areas. – Bernama
