HUNDREDS of visitors from the Batu Uban state constituency thronged the Karnival Madani Merdeka at Lotus’s Sungai Dua today.
The one-day carnival was organised by the Batu Uban State Constituency Service Centre.
Batu Uban assemblyman Kumaresan Arumugam said the carnival featured more than 16 agencies from state and Federal levels.
“This outreach programme brings several state and federal agencies together to engage with the community.
“Through this initiative, these agencies are able to explain the services they offer to the public.
“These agencies also function as a one-stop centre, allowing visitors to access multiple services or products in one place, thus saving time and effort.
“Among the participating agencies are the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Road Transport Department (JPJ) and many others,” Kumaresan said in his speech during the programme today.
The Karnival Madani Merdeka was officiated by Deputy Chief Minister I Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid.
Kumaresan added that an Agro Madani sales programme, organised in collaboration with Lotus’s Sungai Dua, offered a 30% discount for selected grocery items during the carnival.
Meanwhile, on the mainland, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) also hosted a community engagement programme today.
Known as the ‘MBSP-Santuni Komuniti Madani’, the one-day programme was held at Taman Sentul Jaya Community Hall in Bukit Tengah.
Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao-Leung officiated the programme.
MBSP provided a mobile counter for the public’s convenience, offering services such as utility bill payments.
The programme also featured free medical check-ups, mammogram screenings for women, a colouring competition, the Agro Madani Sales programme, line dance, yoga, a costume competition, and craft entrepreneurs booths.
MBSP councillor Anuar Yusoff said the MBSP-Santuni Komuniti Madani is the first of its kind organised by the city council in the Bukit Tengah constituency, in collaboration with the Bukit Tengah Service Centre.
He said the programme’s objective is to foster a close relationship between MBSP and the public by explaining various services offered by the city council.
Anuar mentioned that MBSP plans to organise similar programmes in other constituencies soon.
Gooi commended MBSP for its initiative in organising the programme and expressed hope for more such programmes in the future.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal