THE Penang government is currently drafting a recognition programme for houses of worship as a community centre, says state executive councillor Chong Eng.
She said besides being a centre where the community could come together for celebration, the houses of worship could also be a place to provide the people refuge in times of crisis or disaster, and also a space where service could be provided for community growth.
“As a state government, it is our duty to serve the people. However, it is not a task we can fully accomplish on our own.
“We need partners and we need space. We are coming up with this recognition programme to encourage more houses of worship, faith groups and individuals to join hands and serve our community together,” Chong Eng, who is in charge of the Social Development and non-Islamic Religious Affairs, said at the launch of the Penang How Now: Penang Gurdwaras Video at the Gurdwara Sahib Butterworth yesterday.
Chong Eng added that the goodwill among the Sikh community through their gurdwaras was not only limited to their own community or Sikhism celebration, but it also extended to benefit larger community as well.
Guardwaras, she said, opened their doors to help people in need when the country was in crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic and national disaster, like the sudden floods in Pahang.
She said Wadda Gurdwara helped mobilise food aid for the flood victims and also worked together with Masjid Kapital Keling to provide food aid during the movement control order (MCO).
“For that, the state government is thankful. This is in line with the Penang2030 vision to encourage civic participation in our community development,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said the Penang Guardwaras video was produced as part of the Penang How Now campaign, a religious exploration campaign aimed at producing videos to showcase temples, churches, mosques and the communities living around it.
At the event, Chong Eng, on behalf of the state government, presented a mock cheque for RM30,000 to Sukhinderpal Singh, a representative of the Sikh community, as a show of appreciation and continuous support for the ongoing effort by the Sikh community in Penang towards community building and social development. The money is meant for six gurdwaras in Penang, with each receiving RM5,000.
Also present were Gurdwara Sahib Butterworth president Gurdial Singh and Penang Harmony Corporation (Harmonico) manager Paul Ang.