Lumut: The Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (JPPKK) is offering free basic maintenance services for up to 300 motorcycles with engine capacities below 160cc, as part of the Perak MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR), at Lumut Waterfront, beginning today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kolej Komuniti Pasir Salak director Mohd Shahrir Ahmad Zaini said the service was part of a corporate social responsibility initiative, in collaboration with several polytechnics and community colleges in the state, including Kolej Komuniti Gerik, Kolej Komuniti Bagan Datuk, and Kolej Komuniti Sungai Siput.
Mohd Shahrir explained that engine oil changes, filter, and spark plug replacements are the basic maintenance services offered free of charge throughout the PMR programme. The services will be available over a three-day period, with 100 motorcycles being serviced each day on a first-come, first-served basis, starting from 9 am until the daily quota is reached.
He emphasized that the free maintenance, carried out by the colleges' teaching staff and students, provides a valuable opportunity for the Perak community, particularly residents in Lumut and Manjung. This initiative aligns with the theme of Perak PMR 2025, 'Pendidikan Tinggi, Memacu Negara MADANI,' by promoting the value and role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in national development.
Mohd Shahrir noted the importance of showcasing the skills of students, even before they complete their studies, as they are capable of performing basic maintenance tasks confidently. This may boost public confidence in TVET programmes offered by community colleges and polytechnics across the country.
Civil servant Rozman Azahari, 52, commented on the initiative, highlighting its benefits in bringing the public closer to key government agencies and providing conveniences such as assistance with settling summonses at the Road Transport Department and services from other ministries. He noted that seeing youth conducting these services demonstrates that TVET education equips them with practical skills for future job opportunities or the potential to open their own workshops.
The Perak PMR 2025 at Lumut Waterfront will run from 9 am to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday, and until 6 pm on Sunday. Government service booths will operate daily until 6 pm. Perak is the third location to host the large-scale PMR initiative, a result of strategic collaboration between the Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit (PACU) of the Prime Minister's Department and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the programme on Sunday.