THERE will always be people in need of care.
Sungai Nibong Besar Village Community Management Council (MPKK) chairman Mohamed Shawal Ahmed said that was the main reason why he joined the MPKK back in 2016.
“I have seen many families who needed help over the years and joining the MPKK was one of the many ways I could offer my service.
“The MPKK has helped me be a better person. It has also helped me understand the hardship of many families especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has generally hit everyone hard and the underprivileged are feeling it worst,” he said.
Mohamed Shawal, 51, said his team would distribute packets of food and necessities to the needy people occasionally.
“The Penang government and the State Welfare Department have helped a lot in providing aid to the people.
“Besides food, his team has also presented school uniforms to the children from underprivileged families.
“We used to organise sports and community activities in the past, but we are unable to do so now due to the pandemic. We focus on welfare programmes now,” Mohamed Shawal, who is also an information assistant, said.
He was conferred the Pingat Kelakuan Terpuji (PKT) award during the investiture ceremony at Dewan Sri Pinang to mark the 82nd birthday of Penang Governor Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.
State Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang said the investiture ceremony which was initially scheduled to be held on July 11 last year (2020), would be held over two periods at two different locations.
“Penang Governor Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas has consented the awards presentation ceremony for Darjah Johan Negeri (DJN), Bintang Cemerlang Negeri (BCN), Pingat Kelakuan Terpuji (PKT), Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK), Pingat Jasa Masyarakat (PJM) and Pingat Bakti Setia (PBS) to be held from March 10 to 12 at the Dewan Sri Pinang.
“The Governor has also consented March 17 and 18 to bestow the awards on 114 Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN), Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN), Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN) and Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) recipients at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
“The rehearsal for the awards ceremony in Setia SPICE Convention Centre will be held on March 16,” Law said after visiting Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Malaysian Armed Forces Indian Veterans Association (PKVIATM) Penang chairman S. Ulaganathan, 72, was all jubilant after receiving his PJK award.
He said that the recognition would not have been possible if not for the various efforts taken by the association in the past.
“I would like to dedicate this award to all the members in the association. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the veterans formerly from the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Malaysian Armed Forces.
“Our association is responsible for looking after the welfare of the veterans of these two categories.
“We visit the veterans who are sick and disabled and we do what we can to help. We provide the veterans with daily necessities, wheelchairs, crutches, and other items that they need.
“This award is a form of motivation for us to move forward and do more for the veterans,” he said.
Ulaganathan had served the RMAF for 22 years from 1971 to 1993. The association was established in 2007 and currently has about 1,500 members nationwide.
Penang government communications director Yap Lee Ying was grateful to the Penang Governor for conferring her the PJK award.
“I have been a civil servant for over 10 years, and it is my honour and privilege to serve the community.
“I would like to thank the Penang government for their trust in me and I will continue to be committed to serving the people, the state and the country,” she said. She was accompanied by her husband Aaron Ngui.
Another PJK award recipient Tan Chee Kean shared his joy with the members of the Bodybuilding Association, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) under the wings of the Penang State Sports Council.
“Our NGO is known for organising the Mr Penang Bodybuilding Championships. However, we are unable to organise anything since last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Tan, who is the association president, said.
He added that the association was currently affiliated with 24 gyms and working with various partners in Penang. The association was set up in the early 1990s.
Penang State Secretariat office head of local government division Nur Aishah Md Norodin was among the 126 PKT recipients who received their awards at Dewan Sri Pinang.
“I am extremely honoured to have received the award and I am earnestly grateful for the recognition given to me for my effort.
“I would like to thank my family, friends, colleagues and all the amazing people who had supported me all the way. They have stayed with me through thick and thin,” she said.
Nur Aishah oversees many areas under the local government division, including the implementation of smart initiatives in Penang.
The list of recipients, which involves 829 individuals, for the state awards and medals has been gazetted on Dec 3 last year.
Story by Christopher Tan and Kevin Vimal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar