WOMEN entrepreneurs took centre stage at the ‘Empower HER: Women Entrepreneurs Rising’ event, organised by the Persatuan Pembangunan Ekonomi dan Usahawan India Pulau Pinang (Perumi) at Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang today.
The event featured a series of workshops, discussions, networking sessions, and a forum, all aimed at supporting and uplifting women in business.
Perumi vice-president Thanaraj Pillai highlighted the importance of such initiatives in fostering growth and collaboration among women entrepreneurs.
“We encourage all the participants to engage, share, and take this opportunity to learn more from the successful entrepreneurs,” he said in his speech.
Penang Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, who is also the Perai assemblyman, expressed his gratitude to both the organiser and participants for making the event a success.
“It is good that the participants decided to attend. You set a goal and chose to elevate yourself,” he said.
Adding to the event’s value, Royces Medic Laboratory provided free blood pressure and glucose tests for attendees. Additionally, more detailed medical tests were offered at a 50% discount, encouraging participants to take charge of their health while focusing on their entrepreneurial journey.
The event was attended by key industry figures, including Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Penang) president Datuk S. Parthiban, Perumi adviser J. Philip Vincent, Perumi president Muthukumar Govindaraj, STRAVIK chief executive officer Dr Vimaleswari K. Ramasamy, and Vasighra Beauty House proprietor Sivasangari.
The ‘Empower HER’ initiative is part of Perumi’s ongoing commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship within the Indian community in Penang.
Separately, Sundarajoo has announced plans to visit the three victims of a recent road accident – a seven-year-old boy, his five-year-old sister, and their grandmother – who are currently receiving treatment at Penang Hospital.
The tragic accident occurred on Feb 18 when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a lorry at the entrance to Jalan Besar, Sungai Bakap. The grandmother had been taking her grandchildren to school at the time.
As a result, the young boy suffered severe injuries to his left arm, while his sister had to undergo a below-the-knee amputation on her right leg. Their grandmother sustained a head injury and a broken ankle.
“I did not want to disturb them over the past week because they were in pain and needed time to recover,” Sundarajoo said.
“I have instructed the doctors to take good care of them. Their surgeries have been completed, and they are now in a more stable condition.”
Sundarajoo will be visiting the victims alongside the Penang Education Department director, representatives from the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG), and the headmistress of the children’s school.
Additionally, he is working on a long-term support plan for the family and will be consulting his lawyer to explore further assistance options.
“To ensure financial aid reaches the victims properly, I am coordinating with the school’s PIBG to use their account as a donation channel,” he explained.
“I have spoken to the headmistress, and the account will be monitored by both the PIBG and the school administration. All contributions will be managed transparently and directed to the victims appropriately,” he added.
Sundarajoo urged the public to wait for the official PIBG account details before making donations to prevent misuse of funds.
“If anyone genuinely wants to contribute, please wait for us to publish the PIBG account number,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat