UTAR NEW VILLAGE COMMUNITY PROJECT
REPORT
NAME OF NEW VILLAGE:
TRONG 隆
PERAK
Project carried out by:
Name
ID Number
Course
Year /Semester
1. Kok Chee Chun
1204775
Actuarial Science
Y1S1
2. Leong Chang Hong
1204080
Computer Science
Y1S1
3. Lam Zi Yinn
1203752
Quantity Surveying
Y1S1
DATE OF COMPLETION:
FEBRUARY 2013
TRONG
ABSTRACT
Trong New Village is one of the Chinese New Villages established during the
Malayan Emergency. Trong is located 15 km away from Taiping, Perak. Agriculture
farming and stockbreeding are the main economic activities. There are small
plantations owned by villagers. Domestic animals like chickens and ducks are reared
by some of the villagers. The main concerns of the villagers are air pollution, limited
facilities and its aging population.
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TRONG
HISTORY
Trong is a small town which is located between Changkat Jering and Pantai
Remis and is about 15km away from Taiping. There is a small new village located in
Trong, which is named Trong New Village. This new village was established in 1952
and it is one of the 450 Chinese New Villages created during the Malayan Emergency.
New villages are settlements created during the waning days of British rule
over Malaya in the mid-1950s. The original purpose of the New Villages in Malaysia
was to segregate the villagers from the early Malayan Races Liberation Army
insurgents, which were led by the Malayan Communist Party, during the Malayan
Emergency. This plan aimed to defeat the communists, who were operating out of
rural areas as a guerrilla army, primarily by cutting them off from their sources of
support.
There were tin mines in the village. However, they only existed until 1980.
Tin mining led to the growth and prosperity of the village.
A signage to Terong
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TRONG
INTRODUCTION
Recently, Trong New Village has a population of less than 100 residents
consisting of Chinese and Indian families who live in about 50 houses. The village is
a small village dominated by Hokkien Chinese people, the majority of whom are
senior citizens.
The houses are arranged in linear sequences along the roads. Most of the
houses are very old-fashioned and made up of wood or brick. Most of the shops are
located in the centre of the village and the village is surrounded by rubber and oil
palm plantations. This village is known for its beautiful waterfall which is also a
source of water supply.
The population of Trong New Village has declined sharply compared to the
year it was established. This is because the younger generation has moved to cities to
search for better employment opportunities.
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TRONG
ECONOMICS ACTIVITIES
The main source of income for residents of Trong New Village is agriculture
because this village is surrounded by rubber and oil palm plantations. Some of the
areas are also being used to plant fruit trees such as guava and dragon fruit.
Oil palm trees close to the village
Furthermore, there are some villagers who rear livestock such as chickens and
ducks. Besides, there is a huge duck farm located in Trong. However, the ducks are
not for domestic or private use, but are transported to other countries. In addition,
some of the villagers also carry out small businesses such as coffee shops and food
stalls.
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TRONG
Duck farm in the village
A Coffee shop in the village
There is a charcoal factory close to Trong New Village. Due to its location
just beside the sea, this village has many mangrove trees which can be used to
produce charcoal. Some villagers also work as fishermen, who catch mainly small
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TRONG
fish and crabs. Besides, there are special buildings which are constructed specifically
for the swallows. Swallows nest in these buildings and produce “bird nests” which the
villagers sell. These “bird nests” are actually dried digested food which are thrown up
by the birds. They are a Chinese delicacy.
Big furnaces in charcoal factory
Villagers face the problem of limited employment opportunities. As a result,
most of the younger generation has migrated to the cities to search for employment.
The village now faces the problem of an aging population. Many of the elderly who
live in the village rear domestic animals or grow vegetables mainly for their own
consumption.
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TRONG
SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICE
In Trong new village, most of the villagers are Chinese. Most of them are
Fujian (福建) people. The main religion in Trong village is the Taoism. Villagers of
Trong celebrate several festivals such as Moon cake Festival, Chinese New Year
festival, Winter Festival, and Deity’s Birthday (晨诞). There is only one temple in the
village which is Temple of “Haw Lin Kiong” (檺林宫). Every year, the villagers will
celebrate the deity’s birthday. This temple has a long history and strong incense fame.
This temple’s deity is well known among the Chinese in Malaysia and Taiwan.
A plaque bearing the name of “Haw Lin Kiong” at the temple
There is also a temple of “Na Tuk Kong” at Kuala Trong which is close to the
village. To most Malaysian Chinese, the Na Tuk Kong (Hokkien: Da Tok Kong) is a
local guardian spirit that resides in trees, ant hills, caves, riversides and in strange
stone formations. Na Tuk Kong worship usually begins after a person is granted
vision of the Na Tok's spiritual form.
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Na Tuk Kong Temple
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EDUCATION
Due to the small population of Trong New Village, it has only one Chinese
primary school which is SRJK(C) Siu Sin. The school is located very close to the
main road which runs through this village. According to the principle of the school,
SRJK(C) Siu Sin was established about a century ago. During the 1960s, the number
of students in this school reached its peak at about 300 students
SRJK(C) Siu Sin in the village
Currently, SRJK(C) Siu Sin has a total of 32 students from standard one to
standard six. 17 students are Chinese and another 15 are Malays. This Chinese school
has provided a conducive environment for studies. The school is located on a big
piece of land and it has sufficient facilities for students such as library, science lab
and adequate classrooms.
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TRONG
Science lab in SRJK(C) Siu Sin
The central location of this school means that most of the student walk or
cycle to school. Besides SRJK (C) Siu Sin, there is a bigger primary school (SK Toh
Johan) and a newly-built secondary school (SMK Toh Johan) close to the village.
A primary school (SK Toh Johan) nearby the village
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A secondary school (SMK Toh Johan) nearby the village
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PROBLEMS
There are several problems faced by the residents of Trong New Village. One
of the major problems is it’s the slow economic growth. The villagers focus on
agricultural activities. However, many vegetable and fruit farmers find it difficult to
cultivate their crops due to insufficient land resources. Most of the land is utilized for
oil palm plantations or remain as uncleared forest. The charcoal factories are the only
factories in the village.
The villagers also suffer from the odour pollution due to the strong, persistent,
unpleasant smell originating from the livestock faecal contamination. It is further
worsened by the improper sewage treatment as there is no effective sewage system in
the village.
Another problem for Trong villagers is its aging population. In the 21st
century, there are many residents from younger generation who have moved to urban
areas. This is because many have achieved higher education levels and they migrate
to urban areas in search of better employment opportunities and higher income.
Furthermore, the villagers also face problems resulting from the limited
infrastructure in this village. This village does not have any hospital, shopping mall,
fire station, bank and other facilities. Residents have to travel to Taiping for their
daily necessities. Villagers, many of whom are elderly, have to travel quite a distance
to consult a doctor. This is a source of great inconvenience for many villagers.
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TRONG
RECOMMENDATIONS
A brand new Swiftlet Eco Park project has been approved by the Local
Council. Right now the biggest task is to get developers and enough buyers to kick
start the project.
Besides that, air/odour pollution in the village should be highlighted by the
residents of village to Majlis Perbandaran Taiping (MPT). The council should
improve the sewage disposal system and assign officers to check and deal with the
disposal of wastes from livestock.
Furthermore, Majlis Perbandaran Taiping (MPT) needs to pay attention
to the limited facilities in the village. The Council should look into ways of
improving access to healthcare, emergency services such as fire stations and financial
services.
The aging population threatens the long term survival of this village. The
development of industries near this village is perhaps one way of attracting the
younger generation back to this village.
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TRONG
TOURISM VALUE
The small village of Trong is located about 16 km south of Taiping on the
road to Beruas. About midway along this road, there is a path leading to the The
Trong Falls. The condition of this road is reasonable. The Trong Falls is a very
attractive waterfall, almost vertical, and with a huge pool at its base. It is very suitable
for swimming and bathing. The fall is so powerful that a perpetual mist is formed
above the pool. There are no places for camping due to its location in the ravine.
There is a 1 to 1.5 hour trail from the parking area to the Upper Trong Fall.
A signage of water treatment plant
There is no sign board for the water fall itself, but there is a sign for the water
treatment plant.
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Staircase leading towards the water fall.
Water fall in the village
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The beautiful water fall in the village
Another tourism destination is Seratak Porch Resort which is located in Kuala
Trong just 30 minutes away from Taiping town and only 5 minutes from Trong town.
This place has a tranquil environment and visitors can enjoy its beautiful panorama of
the mangrove swamp. There are many facilities at this resort including boats for
fishing and sightseeing around the island Trong, areas for camping and fishing around
the resort.
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Jetty in Seratak Anjung resort
Boats in Seratak Anjung resort jetty
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Boats in Seratak Anjung resort
Seratak Anjung resort
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A restaurant in Seratak Anjung resort
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Tourism can be developed in this village as there are many attractions nearby
such as The Trong Falls and Seratak Anjung Resort. Tourism destinations such as
Taiping Zoo and Taiping War Cemetery also attract many tourists to visit Taiping.
This creates entrepreneurial opportunities for Trong villagers. For example, villagers
can open restaurants or food stalls to cater to the demand of tourists. Villagers may
also invest in the hospitality industry. Indeed, this could help to develop the village
and increase the income levels of villagers. Thus, the tourism and hospitality
industries are entrepreneurial opportunities in the village.
The Trong falls
Besides that, a brand new Swiftlet Eco Park project was finally approved by
the Local Council two years ago. There are not many Eco farm projects that are
sanctioned by the local authorities or state. Many believe that swiftlet farming is the
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best long-term investment and consider Swiftlet Eco Park as an opportunity to bring
in millions of ringgit to the village.
Proposed Swiflet Eco Park project
Furthermore, a charcoal factory which was set up many years ago at Kuala
Trong can be improved to provide more employment opportunities to the villagers.
The factory provides a stable income for many villagers who also work as fisherman.
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
05- 4688888 ext 2295/2297/2299/2300
(Klang Valley Campus)
(Perak Campus)
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