AS a gesture to honour the contributions of a senior firefighter who died while on duty, the state government has provided his family with a rent-to-own unit.
State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu announced this during today’s key handover ceremony held at the Butterworth Fire and Rescue station.
“Following the suggestion by former Sungai Puyu assemblyman Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh to offer the family of the late Mohd Izwan Illias a Type A rent-to-own housing unit, the matter was discussed in the Penang Executive Council (Exco) meeting.
“The Penang State Housing Board (LPNPP) later offered the Type A affordable housing unit at the Merkar Sari project in Bertam Kepala Batas to the late Mohd Izwan’s wife, Jamaliah Abd Majid, on a rent-to-own scheme basis.
“Representing the state government, I would like to urge everyone to appreciate the contributions of the firefighters, who are unsung heroes putting their lives at risk to rescue others,” said Sundarajoo, who is also the Perai assemblyman.
Zulfaqar Mohd Izwan, the second son of Mohd Izwan, received the key from the dignitaries present.
Mohd Izwan, an expert in handling and maintaining boats for 13 years, was reported to have fallen into the river and drowned while carrying out maintenance work on a boat.
The incident occurred at the Fire and Rescue Department’s Marine Jetty in Mak Mandin on Feb 23.
Mohd Izwan, aged 42, leaves behind his wife, Jamaliah Abd Majid, and five children aged from 5 to 16 years old.
Meanwhile, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng shared that he would bear the rental cost of the housing unit offered to Jamaliah for one year.
“I have never forgotten the contributions of our firefighters.
“When I was the Finance Minister, I prioritised the welfare of the firefighters, and they were the first agency to receive additional allowances.
“To ease the burden of the late Mohd Izwan’s family, I will bear the rental cost of the unit for one year.
“The rental fee will be credited to the LPNPP,” Lim added.
Also present were Phee, LPNPP’s general manager ‘Ainul Fadhilah Samsudi, Senator Dr R.A Lingeshwaran, Penang Bomba deputy director Zulfahmi Sutaji and other dignitaries.
Sundarajoo also shared that the in January, the state government has rewarded Safiyyah Tang Xie Li, the wife of hiker Muhammad Hawari Hashim, with a house.
Muhammad Hawari was also a staff member at the Penang State Museum Board who went missing during his expedition to Mount Everest last year.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi