Thomas Tan
Kampung Baru Seri Setia, or still commonly called Sungai Way New Village in Petaling Jaya, finished in second place in the Selangor Chinese New Year New Village Decoration Competition held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.
The competition’s champion was Kampung Dato Harun (C) in Serendah while third place went to Sungai Pelek New Village in Sepang.
The winners were announced during a live-streamed virtual prize award ceremony via Facebook on March 6, 2021.
Sungai Way New Village’s entry featured a neglected back lane, behind the Kampung Baru Seri Setia Community Hall at Jalan SS9A/1, decorated using recycled materials to brighten up the alley with flowers, plants, red lanterns, murals, Fu character, two lucky lions and couplets to greet visitors in the Year of the Ox.
Chief of Sungai Way New Village Ding Eow Chai said he was happy and proud with the outcome. “We almost won the first prize but the real satisfaction for me was that the project had provided opportunities for villagers to engage in beautifying the village and creating a sense of empowerment for community residents while bringing them together and keeping spirits up especially during these trying times.”
Ding said the project took about two months to complete for under RM2,000 as all the materials were reused and recycled items such as plastic bottles and old tyres, and the paint was sponsored by a villager who owned a paint factory.
“I would like to thank each one of you for the hard work and all the effort, and making the project successful, especially the MPKK Kg Baru Sungai Way team, residents, volunteers and not forgetting MBPJ Zone 20 councillor Ong Yew Thai and Kg Tunku assemblywoman Lim Yi Wei for their support and encouragement,” he said.
The prize included a monetary reward of RM1,288, trophy and certificate for recognition. Ding said the prize money will be put to good use for continuing beautification efforts around the village.
Over 20 new villages in the state participated in the competition, organised by the office of Selangor state exco for Local Government, Public Transport and New Village Development Ng Sze Han.
A panel of judges assessed and selected the winners based on the judging criteria of the uniqueness of village 50%, creativity 30%, and villagers’ participation 20%.
Ong said the CNY decoration competition was a challenge as everyone had to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) to mitigate Covid-19 transmission in the country.
“The competition is a safe way of bringing together communities and keeping the CNY spirit high in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and movement control order (MCO).
“As MBPJ councillor for the area, I tried my best to make sure the back lane behind the community hall is turned into a beautiful and clean place for everyone as it has become an illegal dump site for dumping trash and a hangout for drinking alcohol,” said Ong.
“I congratulate MPKK Kg Baru Sungai Way team and residents for their good camaraderie and cooperation in winning second place in the competition that actually fosters a sense of community.
“Our goal is to turn all abandoned areas in Sungai Way into a more useful and beautiful place. I hope in near future we can encourage more residents to upkeep their village and become more sustainable,” added Ong.
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