KEDAH - LUBOK MERBAU, NAKA, GUAR CHEMPEDAK & YAN

By Hj Zulheimy Maamor

1 March 2024 : 9.09 pm

2013 - FELDA LUBOK MERBAU, KEDAH

Felda Lubok Merbau is a rubber and palm oil plantation area located in Sik, Kuala Nerang, Kedah. Merbau is the name of a type of wild tree that is abundant in this area, especially around Sungai Muda. It is administered by Felda officials.

Among the nearby areas are Nami, Kampung Sungai Bakap, Kampung Jurong, and Kampung Baru Nami. This area is irrigated by Sungai Muda. 

This area used to be a thick forest area that became a hiding place for communist terrorists. In 1964, the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) invited settlers consisting of poor and landless people from the hinterland. In 1968, a total of 178 settlers were placed in Felda Lubuk Merbau. Currently, there are 769 settlers ranging from level 1 to level 9 in FELDA Lubuk Merbau.

On January 5, 2013, my colleagues and I from the Awareness Team of the Heart Foundation of Malaysia coordinated a health screening program at FELDA Lubok Merbau, Kedah. The program received a good response from the residents of FELDA Lubok Merbau.

2013 - FELDA LUBUK MERBAU KEDAH

2013 - NAKA, KEDAH

Naka is a small town located in the Padang Terap district, Kedah Darul Aman. Naka is derived from "Na," which means 'Kubang,' and "Ka," the name of a type of herbal plant called "lengkuas" or 'kha,' which means a type of grass "nickname." Since it refers to the same place, Kubang is called Nickname in Malay and Naka in the Siamese language of Kedah.

Naka town is situated to the east of Alor Setar city and Pokok Sena town, and to the south of Kuala Nerang. In the past, Naka town was located in Kubang Julok Village and was known as "Naka Lama," and now Naka Town was originally called 'Simpang.'

Kampung Baru Naka (Siam) is a village located in Mukim Tekai Kiri and is the most developed Siamese village in Malaysia. Originally, Kg Baru Naka (Siam) was established as a new settlement to curb the influence of communists and bandits at that time. Most of the residents of Kg Baru come from Kg. Chang Deng (Mr. Kra) and Lamdin.

After the health screening program in Lubuk Merbau, we left the next day for Pekan Naka, Kedah, for further health screening.

The program started on January 6, 2013, where a total of 115 residents of Naka town attended a Health Screening test conducted by The Heart Foundation of Malaysia in collaboration with the Padang Terap District Health Office.

2013 - PEKAN NAKA, KEDAH

After the program in Naka, we continued our journey to Guar Chempedak, Kedah, for our next health screening program at SMK Agama Yan. The travel distance from Naka to Guar Chempedak is 51.1 km, with a travel time of 56 minutes.

Guar Chempedak is a small town in the Jerai parliamentary constituency. It is a rural community located halfway between Alor Setar and Sungai Petani.

On September 22, 1989, a fire tragedy took place at Taufiqiah Al-Khairiah Al-Halimiah, also known as Pondok Pak Ya, where 27 students, mostly girls, were killed in the incident.

Wikipedia: 1989 - Taufiqah Al-Khariah

We stayed at D'Aman Homestay, which is located in Taman Desa Aman, Guar Chempedak, Kedah, and is owned by one of the teachers at SMKA Yan.

2013 : SEK. MEN. AGAMA YAN, KEDAH

The health screening program was held for 2 days from January 7–8 at the school hall. A total of 189 students, including teachers and school staff, underwent the health screening test.

KEDAH 2013 : SMK AGAMA YAN

SMK Agama Yan, Kedah, was opened on January 1, 1997. The first headmaster was Puan Hjh Hindong bt Hj Ali.
In 2007, a student of SMK Agama Yan, Kedah Azali Azlan, made a big surprise when he achieved 21 A results in the SPM exam.

Return journey from Guar Chempedak to Kuala Lumpur

The journey back to KL takes 4 hours, 29 minutes, for a distance of 402 km.

Gunung Jerai (also known as Puncak Kedah) is a mountain in the state of Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia, located between the borders of Kuala Muda and Yan districts. It reaches a height of 2,107 meters.

Gunung Jerai is visible from the E & O Hotel in Penang, as the distance from Butterworth to Gunung Jerai is only 50 kilometers.

Gunung Jerai is referred to as the Hausberg (German) of the town of Sungai Petani, which serves as the district capital of Kuala Muda.

Pendang is a town in Kedah, located about 20 km from the state capital of Alor Setar. Previously, it was a part of Alor Setar and was known as Kota Star Selatan until the 1980s. In February 1975, Pendang became its own district.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

2/3/2024 : 12.02 pm