YEAR 2020 is fast fading away and after all the upheavals brought about particularly by the Covid-19 pandemic, many Penangites just could not wait to usher in the New Year with renewed hope.
Hope seems to be the greatest need for people everywhere today. Hope that a good vaccine can be found to confront the coronavirus; hope that the economy will recover; hope that racism is rooted out and hope that disasters will not befall us.
Penang, like the rest of the world, also went through a tumultuous period. Although quite a number of businesses came to a standstill for several months this year, the state did record some high foreign direct investments.
The state’s tourism revenue understandably plummeted due to international travel bans and at times, inter-state travel bans. However, the state has been working feverishly to boost its domestic tourism.
In the blink of an eye, 2021 will be upon us.
Unforgettable as 2020 may be, many Penangites have started to think about their New Year’s resolutions.
Buletin Mutiara spoke to a cross-section of people, from student to manufacturer to charity organisation, to know more about their hopes and new year resolutions. Below are their views:
Wan Wei Chet (21, student)
“My New Year resolution is to find a stable career once I graduated next year. I want to go into a profession that is related to what I am studying now which is Computer Science.
“I know for a fact that it is not easy to secure a good job nowadays due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected many companies. But that will not stop me from trying.
“After all, I believe there is always a rainbow after the rain and I will not lose hope.
“At the same time, I hope the state government will continue their good efforts in providing more job opportunities especially for the youth like me.
“I know that the Penang government, through its agencies, had launched career search portals and I will start to apply through the platforms.”
Nur Azwina Shah Bodin (28, customer service executive)
“For me, my New Year resolution is to buy a new house. By new house, I mean I want to purchase my first house.
“I just got married earlier this month and currently both my husband and I are renting a house in Seberang Jaya.
“And we are actively searching for a suitable house for our small family.
“Hopefully, we will be able to secure an affordable house next year.
“As a Penangite, I also hope that the state government will continue to collaborate with the Federal Government to provide more affordable housing in Penang to assist the B40 group like us to have our first home.”
Syarmila Rastam (34, civil servant)
“I want to celebrate the New Year by having a resolution that does not just benefits my own self, but also the state and the country as a whole.
“I work as a broadcast journalist at the government television station.
“So, my resolution is to work even harder in highlighting important events or issues that happen in Penang so that the state government can take swift action to solve the problems for the people’s benefit.
“I also hope for a better, brighter, healthier and prosperous year ahead for Penang in 2021.”
Datuk Jimmy Ong (FMM Penang chairman)
“On behalf of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang, we are committed to continue strengthening our relationship with the state government.
“And we will continue to become a bridge between the manufacturers and the Penang government to bring Penang to a greater hight and stand tall with other states in terms of economic development.
“The year 2020 also is a year that taught us how to handle crisis management.
“Those who innovate and survive will become stronger when the year 2021 arrives.
“As the Covid-19 pandemic situation has not really ended even with the availability of a vaccine, on behalf of FMM Penang, we wish to remind everyone to continue to be vigilant and comply with all the standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines.
“FMM Penang wishes everyone a healthy, safely and productive 2021.”
Chua Sui Hau (One Hope Charity and Welfare Berhad chairman)
“As a non-governmental organisation, One Hope Charity and Welfare Berhad is always committed to land a helping hand to the unfortunate in Penang and will continue to do so every year.
“As a matter of fact, we have planned a series of programmes to help the needy starting from next year.
“We also want to urge the public to help us to raise enough funds in order to be able to provide more assistance to the lower income groups who are really affected especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi