THE Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has supplied 12 water tanks, each with a capacity of 500 gallons (1,892.7 litres), to help the surrounding Balik Pulau residents cope with water supply disruptions starting Jan 10.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s special coordinating officer Gooi Seong Kin said the water tanks would play a supportive role in the other initiatives for the residents of Balik Pulau.
Seong Kin said the CMO also provided 12 cartons of 1.5-litre drinking water to those in need in the area.
Speaking at the soft launch of a multipurpose fire engine at Balik Pulau this evening, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow extended the state government’s heartfelt gratitude to all 35 Voluntary Fire Brigades (PBS) in Penang, for their dedication as frontline responders.
“Your collective efforts in assisting the Penang government during these challenging times are immensely appreciated.
“I am aware that the majority of our volunteers have jobs to make a living, yet with a high humanitarian spirit, they are willing to sacrifice leisure time to serve the public in need. Therefore, I am deeply thankful to each one of them,” he said in his speech.
Chow said the upcoming (Jan 10) scheduled water disruption could be considered an ‘emergency situation’ in the state.
“I trust that all PBS volunteers are well-prepared and knowledgeable about their respective roles. We anticipate a seamless operation.”
Chow also allocated RM20,000 to assist the Kuala Sungai Pinang Balik Pulau PBS in acquiring a 900-litre Japanese tanker engine, a 4,500-litre multipurpose truck, and a 4×4 Ford Ranger with a 1,000-litre capacity.
The allocation could facilitate the organisation’s efforts to provide services more effectively to the residents in Balik Pulau.
“Over the past three years the Penang government constantly provides allocation to every PBS unit in the state to facilitate the purchase of necessary equipment,” Chow added.
Also present at the soft launch were state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Penang Island City Council councillor Quah Boon Lim, Kuala Sungai Pinang Balik Pulau PBS adviser Datuk Lim Ah Lai, Bandar Baru Air Putih Village Community Management Council chairman Ooi Seng Laai, Kuala Sungai Pinang Balik Pulau PBS chairman Kiong Chan Kyam, and representatives from other PBS units.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis