By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: In a quiet hall at Rumah Pangsa Larkin, the conversations were animated, the notebooks well-thumbed and the determination unmistakable. Women from different walks of life — mothers, retirees, volunteers and community organisers — sat side by side, learning not just about leadership, but about finding their voice and purpose in service to others.

This scene marked an important milestone for the Social Hero Foundation (SHF), which has been selected to participate in PERANTIS (Program Perantisan Kepimpinan Wanita), the Women’s Leadership Apprenticeship Programme spearheaded by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, KPWKM).

Implemented through the Women’s Development Department (Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita, JPW), PERANTIS is a national initiative designed to cultivate women leaders across 10 key fields — leadership, politics, economics, social development, technology, legal affairs, safety, welfare, education and health — under the guidance of accomplished female mentors.

Since its launch in 2024, the programme has already benefited 1,247 women nationwide. The momentum is set to grow significantly in 2025, with an ambitious target of 5,000 participants mentored by 100 women leaders.

“At its heart, PERANTIS is about opportunity,” an SHF representative said. “It recognises that leadership exists in every community — sometimes quietly — and that with the right guidance, these women can create ripple effects that improve lives far beyond their immediate circles.”

Under the PERANTIS framework, participants receive structured training, networking opportunities and mentorship to enhance leadership capacity, communication skills and confidence.

SHF, as part of its involvement, designed a three-phase programme tailored specifically for women serving on the committee of Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) Rumah Pangsa Larkin, one of Johor Bahru’s largest public housing communities.

Thirty female committee members, aged between 30 and 68, were selected for the programme — a deliberate mix that brought together youth, experience and generational perspectives.

Over the course of the training, they were exposed to practical modules on leadership, conflict management, effective communication, personal branding, computer skills and information technology.

The programme was conducted by SHF trainers Farrah Baptist and Sheila Grewal, who worked closely with the participants to address real-life challenges faced in community leadership.

“These women are already leaders in their own right,” Farrah said during one of the sessions. “Our role is to strengthen what they already have — to give them tools, structure and confidence so they can serve their community more effectively and sustainably.”

The training is expected to enhance the committee’s ability to support and uplift the more than 5,000 residents living in the Larkin Flats, many of whom rely on the KRT as a first point of assistance for social, welfare and community concerns.

The first phase of the programme, held on 30 November 2025, was officiated by Johor Women’s Development Department (JPW) director Izlin Idris, who underscored the importance of grassroots leadership in national development.

“When women are empowered at the community level, the impact is immediate and lasting,” she said. “These are the leaders who understand local realities and can respond with empathy, practicality and commitment.”

The second phase, conducted on 7 December 2025, was attended by SHF Trustee Datuk Seri Teo Shiok Fu JP, who expressed deep appreciation for SHF’s inclusion in the PERANTIS initiative.

“We are honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility,” Datuk Seri Teo said. “Empowering women leaders is not just about training individuals — it is about strengthening families, communities and ultimately the nation.”

He also linked the programme’s objectives to national aspirations under the 13th Malaysia Plan, which aims to achieve at least 30% women representation among decision-makers in the country.

“That target cannot be achieved from the top alone,” he said. “It must be nurtured from the ground up, starting with communities like Rumah Pangsa Larkin.”

Datuk Seri Teo noted the enthusiasm and teamwork demonstrated by the participants throughout the sessions.

“What impressed me most was their unity,” he said. “They listened to one another, supported each other and approached every activity with sincerity and purpose. That spirit is the foundation of effective community leadership.”

The third and final phase of the programme is scheduled for 13–14 December, after which participants will enter a three-month mentoring period, continuing their journey under the guidance of Farrah and Sheila.

Established in 2019 under the Trustee (Incorporation) Act 1952 and operating under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department, SHF is a non-profit foundation committed to assisting needy and underprivileged communities in Johor.

Its mission also includes promoting national unity across races, as well as raising awareness on environmental protection and sustainability.

As the sessions at Rumah Pangsa Larkin continue, the significance of the initiative is already evident. For many of the women involved, PERANTIS is more than a leadership programme — it is a recognition of their role, a validation of their efforts and a reminder that meaningful change often begins with ordinary people choosing to step forward.

And in Johor Bahru, those steps are being taken — confidently, collectively and with purpose.