ADVOCATING a sustainable environment with green initiatives is not a one-man show agenda. It is a wholesome approach that must be practised by every individual living on this Earth, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
Implementation of strategic green orientation is so important in Penang that it is found in its Penang2030 vision for a ‘Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.
And last night, the Penang Green Council awarded ‘green’ winners who displayed, carried out and played a vital role in spreading green awareness across the state through two initiatives, namely the Penang Green Office Project Certification and the Penang Green Journalism Award 2022.
A total of 32 winners were acknowledged and presented with certificates during the Green Pinang Awards presentation ceremony at Loft 29 in George Town last night.
Chow, as the guest of honour, said that this year’s programme, which took place in conjunction with World Environment Day in June, and themed ‘Once Upon a Time’, gave the people a great opportunity to go back in time to reflect, and then to imagine the consequences in the future.
“The responsibility to ensure a sustainable environment lies not only in the hands of specific groups of people, but it is indeed a role that must be played by everyone living on this Earth.
“We have important roles to play to safeguard our environment so that our Earth can be protected now and for a better future when the younger generation carries the baton.
“The Penang Green Agenda 2030, which was launched by PGC in 2021, is a key platform that shoulders various strategies to materialise green orientation across the state.
“Efforts are ongoing in implementing strategies to build a future-proof community in Penang to meet and adapt to the environmental challenges by 2030,” Chow said during his speech.
Later, he thanked PGC for its motivation and dedication to constantly being an agent for green initiatives, and for working hard with the sole purpose of supporting the state government in its vision of embarking on a green state.
As for the winners under the Penang Green Office Project Certification category, the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) bagged the most awards, while others include the industry players, such as Jinko Solar Technology Sdn Bhd (Plant One), Honeywell Aerospace Avionics Malaysia Sdn Bhd, ViTrox Technology Sdn Bhd, Knowles IPC (M) Sdn Bhd and others.
Meanwhile, for the Penang Green Journalism Award, under the Feature Writing (English) category, Audrey Mellanni Dermawan from New Straits Times won the excellence award, and Siti Sofia Nasir, formerly from The Vibes, walked away with the special award (English).
Nur Izzati Mohamad from Berita Harian was announced as the sole winner under the Bahasa Malaysia category for the special award.
A picture worth a thousand words is a fitting way to describe the photographers who bagged awards under the Photojournalism category earlier.
They are Muhammad Sayuti Zainudin from Malay Mail, who was announced as the second runner-up, while Muhammad Mikail Ong Abdullah and Mohamad Danial Mohamad Saad, both from the NST, won first runner-up and first prize respectively.
Also present during the ceremony were state Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Alissala Thian