IT was a fun day on a Friday afternoon for 12 jeep service drivers at Penang Hill as they received three different contributions, namely from Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor R. Kaliyappan and the Air Puteh service centre.
PHC contributed cheques worth RM500 each for the drivers while Kaliyappan, through his councillor’s allocation, contributed basic necessities such as rice, cooking oil and biscuits. The last to join the lot was the Air Puteh service centre that contributed Sunshine vouchers worth RM100 each.
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng, who was present to distribute the items, said the contributions were a form of appreciation for all the drivers and also to ease their burdens during this trying period.
“As we have officially passed the one-year mark since the movement control order (MCO) was implemented last year, it is important that we continue to show support and assist those that have been badly affected due to this pandemic.
“In this year-long battle, the jeep service drivers have often come to our aid (PHC), especially helping out in areas that needed extra hands, namely repair works around the hill area, cleaning and other maintenance works.
“We hope these contributions would help them and their families. Thank you once again guys for always being there when we needed you the most,” Cheok said during his speech at the Penang Hill lower station today.
Meanwhile Kaliyappan also extended his deepest appreciation to all the drivers for all their hard work throughout these years.
“Sometimes in life, the smallest of things tend to make the biggest difference. This is just a small token of appreciation from me,” he said.
One of the recipients, V. Karthigesan, 33, was seen in a jolly mood after receiving the items and thanked all the three parties for the contributions which meant a lot to all the drivers.
“On behalf of all the drivers, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation and that our helping hands will always be reachable for the betterment of those staff and visitors at Penang Hill,” Karthigesan told Buletin Mutiara.
Story and pix by Kevin Vimal