PENANG Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng attributes the honour of receiving the Dato title from the Penang governor to the collective efforts of PWDC in advancing the status of women in the state.
Leading PWDC for the past seven years, Ong is one of the 93 individuals recognised with the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which carries the title ‘Dato’.
The awards and medals are being presented by Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak as part of his 74th birthday celebrations. A total of 1,117 awardees will be recognised during the ceremony, which concludes on the fourth day tomorrow.
When met by Buletin Mutiara after the awards’ presentation ceremony, Ong, 62, expressed that she has various feelings.
“I feel honoured because not many women receive this Dato title.
“During the seven years I have been CEO of PWDC, I must say that all the achievements made are joint successes, not my success alone.
“Many of these achievements are due to the struggle of women, with the support of men, in making the works entrusted by the state government and PWDC, successful.
“I am grateful for this award and I would like to thank PWDC for helping me get to where I am today. I hope it will continue to inspire us (PWDC) to succeed in the gender equality agenda.
“My biggest hope is that one day, all segments of society, irrespective of age and gender, can enjoy equal rights and status in matters such as resource allocation, budget proposals and facilities.
“I would also like to thank all who have been with us to get to where we are today.
“I hope this serves as a motivation and inspiration for everyone, including women, that if I can get it, anyone can get it. And women can do it.”
Ong also acknowledged the support of former Social Development and non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Dato Seri Chong Eng and her successor Lim Siew Khim.
In a related event, the Malaysian Association of Hotel (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh Nai Heng expressed his elation to be honoured with the DSPN award.
Goh, 65, who has spent over 40 years in the hotel industry, remains committed to advancing the state’s tourism industry.
“When I was first appointed as the new MAH Penang chairman in March last year, I have set my sights on rejuvenating the hotel industry.
“At that time, our country was still recovering from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the tourism industry, especially the hotel industry, was the most affected.
“So, I worked very closely with the Penang government and former state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin at that time to help the hotel industry rebound again.
“And I am thankful to the state government for introducing various initiatives, including tax incentives, to help the hotel operators.
“Now that, we are back to the pre-pandemic level, I am more committed than ever to moving forward as a team and work closely with the Penang government to bring the tourism industry to greater heights,” Goh told Buletin Mutiara today.
Goh, who is also The Wembley St Giles Hotel Penang general manager, also expressed his appreciation to the Penang government for the valuable recognition during the investiture ceremony today.
“I am thankful that my contribution as MAH Penang chapter chairman towards the tourism industry in Penang has been recognised by the state government.
“I will continue to work hard for the tourism industry in Penang,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal and Ammar Mikhail Aamer
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad & Siew Chia En