A TOTAL of 53 staff of the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) who retired in 2012 attended an appreciation ceremony recently to mark their contribution to the council.
The event was officiated by MPPP president Datuk Patahiyah Ismail at the Town Hall.
“Twenty-nine retired as they had reached the mandatory retirement age, 18 took optional retirement while one retired due to health problems. The other five passed away and the retirement benefits will be passed to their next-of-kin,” she said.
Theresa Teh, 58, who worked as a MPPP staff for 37 years, said she is very happy and wished to visit her daughter in the UK and have a vacation for a longer time.
She however admitted she will miss her colleagues and friends after her retirement.
Ganesan Gopalkrishnan, 56, who worked as a veterinary assistant for 31 years, said: “I took optional retirement due to my health issues and plan to rest and have a good time with my family.”
The council also handed out service excellence awards to 205 employees for their good performance in 2012.
Rishikesh K.A.Kannan, 34, an assistant enforcement officer, said this was the first award for him after 10 years working with the council.
“I feel great and I promise to perform much better than before.”
The award recipients will receive a certificate of excellence, performance prize of RM1,000, opportunities and priorities for career progression, and opportunities for the nominees to receive awards, medals and honours at Federal and state levels.
“This award was given as a symbol of appreciation to the council officers and staff who have shown excellent work ethics,” said Patahiyah.-EJ-
