By Anne Das
Residents from Buntong and nearby areas gathered on 8 February 2026 for a fun-filled Chinese New Year Charity Event.
Held at the Harmoni Flats grounds, the event drew families and children of all races and creeds. Activities ran throughout the morning, turning the space into a lively meeting point for the wider neighbourhood.
The programme was organised by the Residents’ Committee and Residents’ Association of PPR (People’s Housing Programme) Taman Harmoni, in collaboration with Perak Women For Women Society (PWW), with Maxis Malaysia supporting the event as the main sponsor. Around 300 B40 residents took part, bringing together families from the flats and surrounding areas.
The event was officiated by Leonard Chin Ying Choi, Northern Region Head of Maxis Berhad, representing the main sponsor.
Several VIPs were also present, including Saw Yu Shen, Maxis Berhad; Nazialita Mayaran, VP, PWW; Clr Sivam Kalimuthu, representing the Mayor of Ipoh; Clr Lawrence Palanisamy; Ganesan Nilamegan, Officer-in-Charge,Buntong Police Station; Hajar Binti Ahmed, Deputy Director of the State Department of National Unity; and Mohamed Zaizulman bin Zainal Abidin, District Unity Officer.
As part of the programme, 100 B40 families celebrating Chinese New Year received boxes of dry food essentials along with mandarin oranges, with volunteers assisting throughout the distribution.
In addition, Maxis Malaysia contributed three laptop units for community use. The laptops will support learning activities, IT literacy programmes, and other community-based initiatives at PPR Taman Harmoni.
Interactive games followed throughout the morning, with activities open to residents of all ages. Maxis representatives were also present with on-site product activities, including the distribution of free SIM cards to participants.
A lion dance performance brought movement and energy to the event, drawing residents of all ages towards the performance area. The steady beat of the drums carried across the grounds as families gathered to watch.
PWW took part through its PWW Café and Baking Studio team, which supports women from B40 households through skills training and income opportunities. The team prepared food for 300 guests, including 120 packed meals, and managed a buffet lunch enjoyed by everyone.
The Chinese New Year Charity Event was one of more than 160 community initiatives organised at PPR Taman Harmoni in 2025, carried out through partnerships and collaborations across the Buntong area.
According to Muhammad Faiz Abdullah, Chairman of the KRT Taman Harmoni Flats and the Taman Harmoni Buntong Residents’ Association, the community’s efforts extend beyond the flats themselves.
Our programmes may be based at PPR Taman Harmoni, but the support we provide reaches the wider Buntong community,” he said. “With continued collaboration from partners, we plan to strengthen and expand our efforts so help reaches those who need it most”.
He added that the KRT and Residents’ Association remain open to working with more organisations and partners to support future programmes across Buntong in the year ahead.
