DOING social work to improve the lives of others can take quite a lot out of a person, but it can also be very fulfilling.
For Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, Cefinny Teh Jin Pei, Keng Soo Peng and Patricia Chung Wei Leng, their commitment to the Penang Care Society and services to the community at large are highly valued by the state.
They were among the 1,380 people who were conferred awards by the Penang governor, Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, in conjunction with his 73rd birthday celebration this year.
The recipients are usually nominated for the awards by an organisation or association, but quite a number of them also play pivotal roles in other establishments.
The 71-year-old Wong, for instance, is also involved with a few other charitable and welfare organisations, like the Penang Welfare Association for Mentally Retarded Children and Kiwanis Club of Penang Central.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Wong, who is also the president of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA), played a significant role in the Penang Care Society (formerly called PgCare Alliance).
He was put in charge of finance (fund-raising), one of the four core areas. The other three equally important areas are mental health (under Datuk Seri Leslie Lee), job (Datuk Jimmy Ong) and food and essential aid (Felix Chuah Gim Chuan).
Under Wong’s leadership and influence, MSIA contributed 2,500 units of pulse oximeters worth RM75,000 to Penang Care Society to help the needy in October last year, and 1,552 laptops worth RM2 million to the Penang government for underprivileged students under the Penang ‘E-Learning Computer Programme’ in June last year.
The MSIA also stepped forward to support the Penang Hospital in its battle against the deadly Covid-19 by donating medical devices worth RM1.6 million in July last year.
Wong pioneered the set-up of Tech Dome Penang six years ago. Since then, the science centre has attracted nearly one million visitors.
“It is important that we inspire more children to pursue science and engineering. Tech Dome Penang is doing its part.
“We initiated Tech Dome Penang with a vision to inspire more children to pursue science and engineering because Penang is the centre for technology.
“Besides that, Penang aspires to be the centre for innovation and a global automation hub. And these are all technology related,” he said when met recently.
Wong said he was honoured to receive the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN), which carries the title Dato’ Seri.
“This award reflects the contributions not just by me but the organisations which I represented.
“It reflects the charity work which I am involved in, and the people and volunteers who have contributed to society,” he said.
Cefinny Teh, who is the Penang Care Society secretary, received the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) award.
She is very active in the Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA) Malaysia as its chairman of women’s development and Northern honorary secretary, and the Malaysian-Japanese Society as its 2nd vice-president.
After working for a spell in China, she has ventured into business since her return to Malaysia. Her businesses are related to product vending machines and software development.
Just recently, she has been invited by the northeast district to join the Malaysia Prevention Criminal Foundation (MPCF).
“The award is unexpected, and I feel very good to receive it. My staff members were leaping with joy when they learned of the award.
“I want to thank all in the Penang Care Society, its supporting groups, and YB Phee (Boon Poh), Dr Ngoo Seong Boon and Major (PA) Chong Soon Kheng.
“Currently, the Penang Care Society is conducting the mental health first-aid training. We want to train the teachers so that they can later train the children. We are encouraging more teachers to join this programme.
“Why I am involved with the Malaysian-Japanese Society is because the Japanese are generally very disciplined. Even though when they return home very late after work, they will clock in punctually the next morning.
“I am a very disciplined person. I am also impressed with how they respect others and we can learn some lessons from the Japanese culture.
“I want to keep active and help people. And I have donated blood 13 times after undergoing a major operation. Those who are healthy and qualified to donate blood, please do so,” said Teh, who will be involved with the organising of the Penang Bon Odori Festival at the Esplanade on Saturday (July 30).
Keng, who is the treasurer of Penang Care Society, received the Pingat Kelakuan Terpuji (PKT).
An accountant by profession, Keng, 52, also serves as a mediator for the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR) and the Council of Justices of the Peace Penang. His task is to help parties to resolve their conflict, dispute and differences amicably.
“I am very happy for the recognition given by the state government.
“The setting up of the Penang Care Society helps to consolidate all non-governmental organisations (NGOs). We’ve currently 29 NGOs under the Penang Care Society. We try to share or better manage our resources and avoid duplicating efforts, like when donating food to the needy.
“What made me happy and proud of Penang Care Society during the Covid-19 was that we managed to raise funds and secure oxygen concentrators. When the Penang Hospital beds were almost full, the oxygen concentrators really helped a lot of people.
“During that time, when a victim’s oxygen level dropped below 90, we needed the oxygen concentrator to support the victim’s breathing. That time, we saved a lot of lives. Though not 100%, but easily 90% as nine out of 10 recovered from Covid-19.
“The Penang Care Society is made up of mostly professionals from the private sector. We share ideas and they are brought directly to the state exco by YB Phee Boon Poh (who is in charge of the state Welfare and Environment Committee).
“Moving forward, we are now tackling suicide prevention. We want to raise public awareness and also conduct more training. Understanding the root cause is central to resolving mental issues,” Keng said.
Sharing his joy at the awards ceremony was his wife, Tang Shiau Li, 42, who is also an accountant.
Patricia Chung, who was appointed as the legal adviser of Penang Care Society, received the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) award.
“As someone who represents the society, I feel proud and honoured to be conferred PJK by the head of state.
“This is my first time getting the award and I will strive to further contribute to society.
“I am happy that I am able to do my bit as there are a lot of people in need of assistance.
“Penang Care Society emphasises the well-being of the society as we mobilise our resources to assist the needy in the community and support the cause of the organisation.
“I will do my best for the betterment of society,” said Chung, whose husband, Ryan Loke Yee Fun, was present with her at the award ceremony.
Story by Christopher Tan, K.H. Ong and Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting and Siti Nuratikah Rahmat