SEVEN unsung heroes received the ❤️ Penang Community Awards from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow under the LovePENANG campaign at Komtar today.
They were Rayson Khoo Beng Sui (director of Malaysian Red Crescent Society Penang), Felix Chuah Gim Chuan (vice-president of Persatuan Pegawai Bersekutu APM Penang), Dr Ngoo Seong Boon (chairman of Penang Care Society), Dr Jeremy Kung Chong Min (chief executive officer of HELEX), Mohd Sobri Karim (boat driver), Arif Mohamed (corporal at Patrol Car Division of northeast police headquarters), and KS Pakyalakshmi Subramanian (telephonist at district police headquarters in Bandar Perda).
This was the second time that Chow has presented the ❤️ Penang Community Awards, having awarded six deserving individuals in the first round on Oct 17 last year.
Today’s seven recipients were given a certificate each and also a small token of appreciation for the good deeds they have done.
“Their acts and sacrifices are often behind the scenes, not widely known or publicised.
“Nevertheless, they deserve recognition from the state government for their ‘above-and-beyond’ services and contributions.
“It is inspiring to see the selfless acts of kindness and the dedicated efforts of individuals in our communities.
“Their contributions have surely made an impact on our state’s progress and prosperity.
“As we celebrate the ❤️ Penang Community Awards recipients today, let us also recognise that every one of us has the power to make a difference in our unique way. Whether it is volunteering at a local charity, helping a neighbour in need, or simply showing kindness to a stranger, every act of kindness counts and makes a difference,” Chow said in his speech at a press conference.
Chow said he hoped that the outstanding examples of the ❤️ Penang Community Awards recipients would inspire the people to create a better future for all, in line with the state’s Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation.’
He also urged the public to nominate the community heroes and those outstanding individuals who make them proud to be in Penang. Nominations can be done via www.LovePG.my.
Chow thanked the panel of jury, headed by Datuk Seri Abdul Rafique Abdul Karim, president of Majlis Datuk-Datuk Penang, for going through the selection process. The other members were Datuk Khoo Boo Leong, Datuk Jimmy Ong Ching Keng, Dr Doreen Yeap Gim Ean and Datuk Seri Gobalakrishnan Narayanasamy.
Pakyalakshmi, better known as Lakshmi, said she was extremely glad to receive the award.
A telephonist at the district police headquarters in Bandar Perda, Lakshmi is the founder of Tamarai, a non-profit organisation that empowers women and the underprivileged community. Her organisation also offers entrepreneurship courses to ex-prisoners, ex-juveniles and school dropouts.
“First of all, I feel very honoured and blessed to receive the award. There are a lot of people out there who are doing marvellous work. This kind of appreciation is a boost for us.
“All the while, nobody really notices us. This is a very big gift, like a blessing from God.
“And we receive it from the chief minister himself. It is not easy to get his signature and, furthermore, this presentation ceremony is held in his office. This is the best,” Lakshmi said.
Dr Jeremy Kung said he was also honoured to receive the award.
His company, HELEX, an authorised centre for Cambridge Assessment English, has provided training in English for the police in Penang besides doing some charitable works.
He also helped feed stray cats and dogs around Penang island when most of them were hungry during the movement control order.
“It’s a great sense of satisfaction to be appreciated. I didn’t expect this to be endorsed and recognised. I was doing all these very discreetly. I think someone nominated me. It was a big surprise,” Kung said.
Kpl Arif Mohamed became famous when a video of him helping an old lady struggling to cross a busy road went viral. Not only that, but he also gave her RM10 as a treat for lunch.
The police officer from the Patrol Car Division of the northeast district police headquarters received great praise from the public for his kind gesture.
Dr Ngoo has also contributed a lot to the state.
He was involved with the Penang state e-learning PC programme to raise donations and recycling of PC, amounting to RM3 million, to benefit 2,500 students during the critical period of the pandemic.
On top of that, he also initiated a grand effort together with many industry partners and NGOs to form the Penang Care Alliance (now known as Penang Care Society) to provide aid to those who need it during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The society received more than 8,000 calls from the public on Covid-related issues, provided food aid to more than 1,000 families, extended 2,300 oxygen concentrators and oximeters on loan, and made available telehealth consultancy and other initiatives.
Rayson Khoo, besides serving as the state director (head of operations) of the Red Crescent Penang, manages and coordinates all oxygen concentrators under the Penang Care Society on the island.
He actively carried out mobile vaccination programmes and voluntarily made home vaccination visits for those with special needs or hand mobility issues.
Felix Chuah, who is also a member of the Penang Care Society, was a very busy man during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He delivered oxygen concentrators and oximeters on loan as well as food aid during high-risk situations under MCO.
He managed the Operation Control Room at Level 7 of Komtar to monitor and update the status and activities during the pandemic.
He also served as the chairman of the Food and Essential Main Task Force in the state, managing more than 20 volunteers from APM, Red Crescent, Lions Club, and St John Ambulance.
Boat driver Mohd Sobri, who was unable to be present for the award ceremony, rescued a pregnant woman who attempted suicide by jumping into the sea at the Penang Bridge on Oct 16, 2022.
He also helped save two others before that incident.
A week before the pregnant woman’s attempted suicide, Mohd Sobri managed to talk an old uncle out of jumping from the bridge (the exact spot where the pregnant woman attempted suicide). He later called the police and the victim was brought to the police station.
Another week earlier, he saved a middle-aged man who also attempted suicide, thanks to a low tide that made it possible for the victim to be rescued.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Alissala Thian