Hampered by lack of a proper campsite

By WINNIE YEOH

PENANG is the only state in the country that does not have a scout campsite, Scouts Association of Malaysia Penang state commissioner Zulkafli Kamaruddin said.

He said this was a predicament the state association was facing as its previous campsite at Coronation Camp had been turned into a Japanese Garden.

“Our activities are limited now without a proper campsite,” he said.

scout Scouts preparing food during the backwoodsman cooking activity.

Zulkafli said the association acquired a piece of land in Teluk Bahang 10 years ago for a campsite but the place had been gazetted as part of the Penang National Park which resulted in the Scouts having difficulty carrying out their activities there.

“Only limited people are allowed to enter the area and we have to obtain permission from the National Park authority to camp on our own land,” he said when attending the 100th National Scouts Day celebration at SMK Haji Zainul Abidin at Hamilton Road in Penang on Sunday.

The Malaysia Scouts Day gathering was held in conjunction with the celebration with participation from about 500 students from 13 schools in Kedah, Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan.

scout2 Scouts in a camping activity during the gathering.

Zulkafli said that since most scout activities in Penang were carried out on school grounds now, he hoped the state government would provide a proper campsite for them soon.

Association publicity officer Neoh Dian Bin said parents should encourage their children to take part in more healthy outdoor activities rather than keeping them indoors.

“Parents are more concerned about their children’s studies and safety nowadays that they have neglected the importance of outdoor activities.

“Outdoor activities such as scouting and other uniformed activities can promote a healthy lifestyle and help build better interaction among their peers,” he said.

scout3 MARTS treasurer Khoo Beng Huat demonstrating the use of amateur radio.

SK Bukit Gelugor students Muhamed Nur Aiman, 12, and Syabil Ahmad Munahir, Muhamed Zulfahmi Mohamed Daud and Muhamed Ariff Akmal Rosmin, all aged 10, said they liked scouting as they could play with friends and enjoy activities they do not get to do at home.

Activities carried out at the two-day event over the weekend were backwoodsman cooking, football matches, photography competition, radio scouting by the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society (MARTS) and an exhibition.

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1 Comment

  1. Hi dear scout Malaysia!
    We have planed to have the scout Educational trip to Malaysia in December this year.
    We are still searching for the best places to visit with our young scouts aged between 8 and 14.
    We would like to get any help from you especially to visit National scout Campsites and offices in Malaysia.
    Thanks and have a good time there.
    You may also take a look on my scout face account .
    Have a good day and hope to here from you soon
    Left hand shake
    Moses
    Tanzania, East Africa

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