UTAR NEW VILLAGE COMMUNITY PROJECT

REPORT

NAME OF NEW VILLAGE:

JENJAROM 仁嘉隆
SELANGOR

Project carried out by:

Student Name Student ID Course Year/Trimester
Mechatronic
1. Lee Chun Yit 08UEB03576 Y2/T1
Engineering
2. Ling Guan
11UEB05819 Quantity Surveying Y1/T1
Jeat
3. See King Cai 09UEB05026 Quantity Surveying Y2/T1
4. Tan Leong Mechatronic
09UEB04329 Y2/T1
Keit Engineering
Mechatronic
5. Wong Jia Jun 10UEB02880 Y2/T1
Engineering

DATE OF COMPLETION:
SEPTEMBER 2011
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ABSTRACT

Jenjarom, a village located in Selangor, Malaysia about 55 km west of Kuala

Lumpur in the Kuala Langat district, of the Selangor state.
Jenjarom has a significant Chinese population, and the village is the site of the
Dong Zen FoGuang Shan Buddhist Temple and Institute in Sungai Jarom. Though
this is predominantly for the Chinese Buddhist population, the non-Chinese
community benefits from the tourism it attracts: there were about a quarter of a
million visitors in 2004. This has led to significant improvement of the new village.
Furthermore, the early economic activities that carried out by the villagers are rubber-
tapping and farming. As the village developed and expanded, several other industries
have become the main economic activity in Jenjarom especially manufacturing
industry. On the other hand, the infrastructures, utilities and facilities of the village
provided in Jenjarom are such as water and electricity supplies, sewerage plant and
disposal, police station, clinic, community hall, food stalls, morning market, public
transport, recreation Park and posting service. Jenjarom was one of the so-called New
Villages, set up in the 1950s during the Malayan Emergency to segregate the rural
Chinese villagers from the Communist insurgents within Malaysia under the Briggs
Plan. This aimed to cut off supplies to the insurgents. Like other typical new villages,
most of the residents are warm and friendly.
Some of these villages have since deteriorated, and Jenjarom has gained a
reputation in the 90s for various social ills, including gangsterism, gambling,
prostitution, and drug trafficking. During 80s, unemployment was high among young
people, and with limited opportunities for education many youth have turned to crime
as a means of survival. However, the social ills are now less and serve no harm to the
community there.
The emphasis on the importance of education is seen as the key to improving
the village, and local schools are contributing to this. There are a number of schools
situated at jenjarom, 3 secondary schools are built side by side along one of the trunk
road in jenjarom had caught our eyes.

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HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

Jenjarom was established in 1950s, during the Emergency. During that time,
Jenjarom was surrounded with estates and most of the Chinese settlers were scattered
throughout the place. When the Briggs Plan was launched by Sir Henry Gurney, the
Chinese were gathered and resettled at Kampung Baru. The police force was
introduced to break off any contact between the villagers and the communists by
blocking the supplies of food, medicine and information to the communists.
Jenjarom has an estimated population of 50 thousand and consisted mostly of
elderlies and young children. This is a phenomenal normally found in most new
villages because teenagers left to stay in city for better life living. Besides that, young
people that moved out of Jenjarom normally stay at outstation.
The large population of Chinese in there caused Jenjarom to be one of the
largest Chinese new villages in Selangor. The Chinese population in Jenjarom largely
consists of Hokkien community. In this Hokkien community in Jenjarom, the 4
largest family’s surnames are Tan, Yang, Ang and Gan.

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Figure 1: The arch at the entrance of the new village is the landmark of Jenjarom.

Figure 2: This was one of the oldest cinemas in Malaysia. It was built in Jenjarom, but it was closed
down around 1980s due technology advancement.

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EDUCATION

In the beginning, Jenjarom has only 1 daycare and kindergarten. This has
cause a lot of inconvenience to the citizens there. Many parents decided to send their
child to kindergartens in Banting. However, things have change lately; more and
more kindergarten has emerged in Jenjarom area. One of the newer kindergartens is
Puncak Seri Dua.

Figure 3: Tadika Puncak Seri Dua

There are 3 primary schools in Jenjarom, consist of 3 races, SRJK Tamil

Jenjarom, SRJK Cina Jenjarom and SRJK Jenjarom. The number of primary schools
is proportionate to the numbers of student in Jenjarom.

Figure 4 & 5: SJK (C)Jenjarom

There is only 1 secondary school in Jenjarom area. Sekolah Kebangsaan

Jenjarom. However, overcrowded of student did not occur because there are 5
different secondary schools nearby the vicinity of Jenjarom which include a boarding

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school in Tlk. Datok. Populations of Jenjarom are mainly consist of Chinese,

therefore, some families have decided to send their children to Chung Hua High
School in Klang.
For Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Jenjarom, there are approximately 860
male and 820 female students which made up a total of about 1680 students in this
Chinese primary school. The educational team is made up of about 70 teachers to
educate the youngster in this school.

Next, for Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jenjarom, there are approximate

1700 students start from Form 1 to Form 5. The education team consists of around
106 teachers that lead by Puan Hajah Foziah Bin Haji Mohamad Azahari, the
principal of the school

In these schools, there will be sport carnivals conducted annually in order to

choose the best athlete in the schools and appoint them to be the district
representative to participate in upcoming district sport carnival. Besides, there will be
linked camping events which organized by the clubs and society inside and outside
the schools like Red Crescent Club, St John Ambulance Selangor, and Young
Malaysia Movement that helps to build up organizing skills, interpersonal skills, and
relationships among the participants. Co-curricular activities are emphasized on these
schools through personal evaluation on every student by their class teacher and the
evaluations are written on their school-leaving certificate.

Figure 6: Sport Carnivals

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TOURISM VALUE

Any Jenjarom resident will tell you the main attraction of the town is the
Dong Zen Buddhist Monastery and Institute in Jenjarom, Sungai Jarom.
While the Chinese community is happy to have this beautiful institute in their
midst, the non-Chinese are equally glad that it has brought tourism to their sleepy
town.

Figure 7: Dong Zen

Since it was set up in 1994, thousands of people from near and far have visited
Dong Zen. Last year alone, its registry showed 230,000 visitors. And during the first
15 days of Chinese New Year this year, there were some 600,000 visitors.
Built on a 16-acre, immaculately landscaped site, Dong Zen was set up by the
Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Buddhist Monastic Order, which has its headquarters in Kao
Shiung, Taiwan.
Dong means east, and Zen means a tranquil mind, so Dong Zen means a
tranquil mind in the East. Besides being a monastery, Dong Zen is also a cultural and
educational centre. It houses a Buddhist college, one of 16 in the world set up by FGS.
Here, students learn the fundamentals of the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings) for a year,
after which they can opt to further their Dharma studies in colleges in Taiwan or
Hong Kong. Dong Zen, which is managed by FGS Malaysia, also holds seminars and
retreats.

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The beautiful structures comprise the main gate, the monumental archway, the
main shrine, the Bodhisattva Guan Yin statue and the 18 Arhats (saints or sages who
have attained enlightenment). Within its grounds, the Lumbini Garden where Prince
Siddharta (Buddha) was born has been reconstructed. There is also a Lapis Lazuli
transparent tower, built in homage to the Medicine Buddha. In the main shrine sits a
5.4 meter (18 ft) tall statue of Buddha sculptured in bronze, copper tooling depicting
the Buddha’s life, line the walls. Dong Zen also offers two teahouses and an art
gallery which currently showcases photographs shot in India.

Figure 8:Entrance signage to Dong Zen Temple

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Figures 9, 10 & 11 :These are some of the famous temples in Jenjarom besides Dong Zen Temple. The
temple is to suits the minority religion which is Taoism and Thai-Buddhist in Jenjarom.

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ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Jenjarom provides good entrepreneurship opportunities for the industry

especially the manufacturing industry such as electronics, metal and some
transportation company based at Jenjarom. The field of transportation mainly sands
and pebbles are infamous due to their strategic location beside sungai Jarom.
Jenjarom is rich in natural resources and provides good working opportunities.
Besides that, international companies also chose Jenjarom as their manufacturing
plant in Malaysia. Leading brands such as Toshiba, Renasas and NEC set up their
semi-conductor manufacturing plant. This creates a lot of job opportunities such as
technical workers and skilled labourers. When the amount of manufacturing plants
increases, it will also provide more job opportunities for the residents. The more
workers they hire, the higher productivity of products and services.
Consequently, it can help to expand business to other states or even overseas.
When there are entrepreneurship opportunities, the population will increase and this
will mean that the housing areas need to be extended too.

Figure 12 : Bah Kut The Restaurants

The food and beverages field in Jenjarom is well developed. A Malaysian

delicacy, Bak Kut Teh, was pioneer around Klang and Banting area. Therefore the

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Bak Kut Teh restaurants are in abundance. Besides that, home-base entrepreneurs
conduct their businesses at home.

Figure 13 & 14 : Home-base entrepreneurs conduct their businesses at home.

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INFRASTRUCTURES

Figure 15 & 16: Competition standard Basketball court. Teenagers gather here to play ping pong and
badminton at theire free times.

Figure 17:Police station situated at one Figure 18: This hall was the vanue for several
of the trunk road in Jenjarom meaningful events held in Jenjarom

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Figures 19&20 : 2 old folk’s homes situated in Jenjarom which help to take care of senior citizens and
provide extra subsidies to them

Figures 21 & 22: Field and playgrounds are located around residential area for youngsters to relax
during their free time.

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Figure 23: Syabas is the company that supplies water to Selangor area which includes Jenjarom.

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PROBLEMS

Multiple issues regarding social problems have become the barrier for the
development of Jenjarom.
1. Gangsterism
a. Gangsterism has always been a problem among villagers in Jenjarom.
According to one of the local tabloids, few cases of injuries or fatal
accidents due to violence activity happening during late nights.
b. Youngsters in Jenjarom are often influenced by the gangsterism
activity there and practice truancy at young age. They join the triads
and have no purpose in life. This will terrorize the development the
new village as they are the main labour and working force for the
society.
2. Facilities
a. According to Mr.Tan Chun Zhui, head of the Neighbourhood
Association Jenjarom, a bigger stadium is needed for the villagers to
pass their time. Headed that there is an existing stadium but it is not in
a good condition and is small. This is probably due to poor
maintenance and vandalism done by the villagers. On top of that, the
residents are in need of food stalls that need to be set up in the village
instead of at the factory area. There is also no TM office and post
office in Jenjarom.
b. The nearest TM Point is in Banting and Tanjung Sepat. Thus, it has
caused trouble to the residents whenever they want to pay their electric
and water bills. They have to drive all the way to these two towns in
order to get their bills settled. Fire station is also not available in
Jenjarom. For instance, if there is a fire, the villagers will have to call
for help from the fire station either in Banting or Teluk Panglima
Garang.

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RECOMMENDATION

Law enhancement

In Jenjarom, there are many small violation of laws which already been
practiced by the villagers there and formed as their culture. Most of the local motorist
in Jenjarom never put on their helmets while riding their motorcycle in the small road
inside the new village. This culture should be corrected as soon as possible because
the rate of happening accident in small road is quite high in Jenjarom. Thus, for the
safety of the motorist, the police in Jenjarom should patrol more frequently on the
road to ensure that there is no motorist riding on the road without wearing helmet.
Besides, the issues of gangsterism in Jenjarom have never come to an end
from the day the new village started to be established. This causes a lot of problems
in the new village like paralyze the economic activities, less attractive for other
investors to invest in the village, some abuse of drug happening around. Thus, the
police department should be more conscious and concentrate on this problem and try
to implement several strategies that can solve the problem completely. The police
department can conduct an anti-gangsterism campaign in Jenjarom and focus on the
secondary school students and teenager around there. Furthermore, police station
should also request for some higher ranking inspector to help to manage the police
station in Jenjarom in order to ensure the anti-gansterism strategy is running
effectively and efficiently as it is a severe problem.
The public transport in Jenjarom is not complete enough for the convenience
of the citizen that lives in there. The location of Jenjarom is near to the air flight
services which are KLIA and LCCT in Sepang and other villages nearby such as
Tanjung Sepat, Sungai Raba and etc. Yet, there is no bus or other public transport that
can go there directly. This will causes a lot of inconvenience to the citizen in
Jenjarom as they usually need to take a taxi or rent a car in order to get to these places
stated above. We recommend the head of Jenjarom to ask for the public transport
company implement more buses line to cover all those area in order to ease the
citizen for their daily life when the need to go these area and on the mean while help

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to publicize the name of Jenjarom to these area. This is another of improve the
economy of Jenjarom, let the tourists can visit some famous places in Jenjarom after
they reach KLIA or LCCT.

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CONCLUSIONS

The trip that we conducted was fruitful; we have obtained some meaningful
knowledge. It is a very good opportunity for undergraduate students to expose to the
society and also act as an eye opener for us. Finally, we would like to thank UTAR
for giving us the opportunity to visit such beautiful places.

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 (Klang Valley Campus)
05- 4688888 ext 2297/2299 (Perak Campus)

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