In Kampung Rampangi Fasa 1, Ramadan is more than just fasting — it’s about community. Each year, since 2023, childhood friends, now grown, lead a bubur lambuk programme that brings the village together.
Beyond sharing a meal, it strengthens bonds, preserves tradition, and instils the spirit of gotong-royong in the younger generation.
Despite the heat, the long hours, and the challenge of raising funds, their dedication never fades. The night before is always filled with laughter and nostalgia as old friends reunite to cook and reminisce.
Here’s what some villagers had to say about this cherished tradition:
Hussein Mohammad, 54
The uniqueness of bubur lambuk here lies in the contributions of our youth and the strong spirit of gotong-royong. Even those who now live far away return just to be part of this Ramadan tradition.
Preparing large batches of bubur lambuk is no easy feat — ingredients are prepped until 3am after tarawih, and the rice must be constantly stirred to prevent burning. Luckily, more young volunteers joined this year, making the process livelier and more enjoyable.
While we’ve switched from firewood to gas stoves, the traditional recipe remains unchanged. As the event’s head cook, I’ve preserved this bubur lambuk recipe, passed down in my family since the 1980s, with only slight modern adaptations.
With positive feedback each year, I hope we can invite the Pantai Damai assemblyman next year to witness this community effort. A huge thank you to everyone who made this possible!
Mustapha Idris, 44
Beyond providing food, this initiative teaches younger generations about mutual respect while giving the elderly an opportunity to offer guidance in a warm and friendly setting.
The biggest challenge is stirring the porridge continuously to prevent it from burning. However, the most enjoyable moment is the gotong-royong the night before, when laughter and friendly banter make the work lighter.
The cooking tradition is preserved to ensure young people experience the beauty of this heritage. There are also plans to collaborate with local schools next year to make this event even more meaningful.
For me, the most touching moment is sharing our blessings with others. If given the opportunity, I would love to invite our premier to experience this initiative firsthand and witness the strong community spirit in Kampung Rampangi.
Morni Bujang@Mohamad, 40
Our bubur lambuk initiative goes beyond just providing meals — it fosters unity, especially among the younger generation. It allows people to connect, exchange ideas, and appreciate the value of togetherness, regardless of race or religion.
The biggest challenge is preparing ingredients for such a large-scale meal. Amid the busy cooking process, there are also funny moments — like when chopping onions makes my eyes sting, causing tears to flow, much to the amusement of my friends!
This programme brings the village together year after year. However, some who once participated are no longer with us or have fallen ill. Reflecting on these memories is always emotional.
The most rewarding moment is seeing smiles and hearing heartfelt thanks from the recipients — that makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Mohamad Faizal Affandi, 40
This programme is entirely a community effort. Friends, family, and even those outside the village chip in to fund it. It’s not just about feeding people — it’s about strengthening relationships and teaching the younger generation the values of respect and teamwork.
One of the toughest challenges is the intense heat while cooking and lifting the massive pots. But the gotong-royong spirit makes everything easier. Preparation often lasts until 2 or 3am, but time flies as we share stories and laughter.
This tradition must continue. Our ancestors passed it down to us, and we must ensure the next generation experiences it too. Next year, we hope to collaborate with Sekolah Kebangsaan Rampangi to expand the programme.
Mohd Hasmaiudi Sabpri, 30
What makes this programme special is that it’s built on collective effort, regardless of background. Everyone contributes in whatever way they can, making it a meaningful act of charity.
Our main goal is to unite the youth of the village through a meaningful initiative that benefits the community. It also strengthens ties between the younger and older generations, fostering teamwork and mutual support.
Of course, challenges arise — especially cooking under the hot sun while fasting. But despite this, we managed to prepare three large pots of bubur lambuk this year, which is a huge achievement.
The night before cooking is always the most exciting. Friends return from far away, reminiscing and joking as we prepare ingredients together. It makes the whole experience more meaningful.
This programme must continue. Times may change, but the gotong-royong spirit should never fade. We hope the local assemblyman can provide some financial assistance to help sustain this effort.
Nurrahimin Aswadi, 26
This event is special because it is driven by the village’s youth, who take full responsibility for gathering funds and cooking the dish using a time-honoured recipe. More than just a meal, it reinforces community bonds, teaches respect, and fosters the gotong-royong spirit.
The biggest challenge is managing large quantities of ingredients and cooking in the heat while fasting. But the lively atmosphere, filled with laughter and conversation, makes it all worthwhile.
The bubur lambuk is distributed at the village’s main road and door to door, keeping the tradition alive.
Our hope is to continue this programme annually, possibly with greater support from local leaders. With more resources, we could expand the initiative to reach even more people in need.
Nasarudin Aini, 36
This programme is a collaboration between lifelong friends, family, and villagers. It’s not just about cooking — it’s about bringing people together, regardless of age or ethnicity.
One of the biggest challenges is preparing large quantities of ingredients and securing enough funds. But every task, from peeling onions to packing the bubur, is done in an atmosphere of friendship and shared purpose.
This programme also reconnects old friends and distant relatives, reminding us of the importance of community.
I hope this tradition continues and gains more support. If given the chance, I would love to invite the village head and local leaders to join us in future events.
Roy Azman Aini, 39
The beauty of this event lies in the selfless contributions of our youth, who raise funds and cook it together. This isn’t just about providing food — it’s about nurturing bonds and teaching the younger generation the value of infaq during Ramadan.
One of my biggest responsibilities, as the treasurer, is managing the donations. Sourcing quality ingredients is also challenging, as maintaining the original taste of our bubur lambuk is essential.
The most heartwarming moments come from reminiscing with childhood friends. It’s our third year running this programme, and participation keeps growing — even those living far away make the effort to return.
This year is even more special for me, as I have recently become a father. Seeing different generations work together is deeply moving. If given the opportunity, I’d love to invite people of all backgrounds to join in and experience the tradition of making bubur lambuk during Ramadan.
Mohammad Norzamrhy Hadini, 40
This event reunites childhood friends, bringing the community closer, every Ramadan. Beyond just cooking, it fosters teamwork among the younger generation, teaching them the values of respect and collaboration.
Challenges remain, particularly in securing funds, managing logistics, and ensuring enough manpower. Funny moments happen too — like when someone nearly tastes the dish while fasting!
It’s heartwarming to see friends return from various places just to be part of this tradition. In the past, only elders cooked, but now, more young people are involved, ensuring its continuity.
With NGO support, we could expand the programme and reach more people. The most rewarding part? Seeing the smiles of those receiving the bubur lambuk — making all the hard work worthwhile.
