Higher education institutions help Pulau Pangkor residents turn natural resources into thriving businesses through the MADANI Community Development Programme
LUMUT: The natural resources of Pulau Pangkor are being harnessed to boost local socioeconomics through a government-led community programme.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the island’s advantages as a tourism, fishing and green hub allowed the MADANI Community Development Programme to deliver maximum impact.
He cited the production of kelulut (stingless bee) honey and various seafood-based products as examples of location-specific ventures.
“The innovation doesn’t stop at honey,” said Zambry after officiating the programme at the Kampung Masjid Open Arena.
He highlighted a suite of high-tech solutions brought directly from campus labs to the village streets.
University Teknologi Mara (UiTM) introduced the “Isundryer” technology to modernise fish drying and the “I-MISTROOM,” a modular smart system for mushroom cultivation.
University Putra Malaysia (UPM) has been working on compost fertilizer projects to ensure the island’s agriculture remains sustainable.
The Pulau Pangkor programme, which began in 2025 with University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), is one of five public universities selected to mentor the community.
Through the MADANI Community Stingless Bee Entrepreneurship programme, they have helped residents turn a natural curiosity into a thriving business.
For Zambry, this collaboration represents the true purpose of higher education.
He emphasised that this isn’t just about boosting bank accounts, but about elevating the overall quality of life and comfort for everyone.
The goal is to expand these initiatives across the entire island and beyond.
This ensures every member of the community can share in this newfound progress.
