STATE executive councillor Yeoh Soon Hin received a certificate of appreciation from the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (PenangPAC) at the centre in Straits Quay today.
Yeoh, who is in charge of the Tourism and Creative Economy, humbly accepted the certificate from PenangPAC manager Alexander Ooi at a simple presentation ceremony.
Ooi said the certificate was PenangPAC’s way of acknowledging Yeoh’s energetic efforts and initiatives he spearheaded during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As we all know, YB Yeoh has given everything he could to revive the creative economy in Penang through many programmes and initiatives announced by his office.
“Thus, the certificate today is to recognise his contribution and tireless dedication towards promoting and developing the Penang’s creative economy sector,” he added.
Yeoh thanked PenangPAC for the honour and reiterated the state government’s commitment to continue working closely with the centre for a better future.
“The Penang government has supported PenangPAC in various programmes and also through the financial assistance to keep the centre going during these trying times.
“And we hope that PenangPAC can move forward to resume the good work for the betterment of our Penang community.
“On behalf of the state government, I also would like to thank and highly salute everyone in PenangPAC for your passion and dedication in promoting arts and culture in the state,” he said.
According to Yeoh, the state government is also taking the development of creative industry in Penang very seriously and has launched a series of programmes and schemes to assist the creative industry players since the movement control order (MCO) was implemented in March.
“Among the programmes and schemes launched to assist them to overcome the crisis are ‘Show Penang Grant’, Skim Peka 0% interest loan, a one-off grant for non-government bodies and many more.
“And recently, with the collaboration between Penang Art District and Thames International, Penang has paved the way to designing a two months ‘Innovation & Creative Entrepreneurship Programme’.
“This is for creative entrepreneurs and arts organisations in the state to equip themselves with relevant knowledge and skills to grow and expand their respective practices and businesses sustainably,” he added.
After the ceremony, Yeoh also was taken on a tour of the PenangPAC facility by Ooi and PenangPac theatre supervisor Wazir Bakri.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Law Suun Ting