Self-defence workshops part of community programme

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THE Residents Committee (JKP) Zone 1 under the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) launched a series of free community self-defence workshops recently.

The workshops are part of a community programme under the “Subang Jaya Towards a Safe Neighbourhood Programme”, which was launched earlier this year to address the rising crime rate, health issues and traffic congestion in Subang Jaya.

The programme was designed with a three-pronged approach: Crime and human safety, health and environment and traffic and road safety.

Demonstration: Students from Aikido Yoshinkan Shudokan Martial Arts Centre showing a self-defence move during the first free community self-defence workshop session recently.

“The aim of the programme is to engage residents in caring for their neighbours and surroundings to help build a safer neighbourhood in Subang Jaya,” said JKP Zone 1 chairman and MPSJ councillor Theresa Ratnam-Thong.

“We envisage this programme to last at least two years and see the formation of smaller action groups in each area, helping to bring about the shift in mindset and translating this shift into actions.”

According to her, the community programme will see the joint participation of the MPSJ, Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh’s office, the police, the Fire and Rescue Department and other relevant bodies.

“Thus far, there has already been four meetings between the residents, police and local council,” said Ratnam-Thong.

“We are also pleased to receive a RM50,000 grant from the CIMB Foundation as part of their Community Link Initiatives.

“This funding will help take this programme to a higher level with the launch of the free community self-defence workshops.”

She said the workshops, which offered an opportunity for the residents to learn about personal safety and ways to protect themselves, were open to all JKP Zone 1 residents and would be conducted by a certified instructor.

The monthly workshop will be conducted over the next seven months, from this month to June next year.

The sessions will be conducted by 4th dan black belt exponent Sensei Ramlan Ahmed from the Aikido Yoshinkan Shudokan Martial Arts Centre.

JKP Zone 1 residents can register at www.aikidoshudokan.my. Each session is limited to 200 residents.

JKP Zone 1 covers Taman Wangsa Baiduri and SS12 till SS19 in Subang Jaya.