23 Feb Fishermen, residents presented with festive goodies
Published by The Star • 23/02/2022
Gertak Sanggul Village Community Management Council chairman Leong Kein Cheong (right) presenting a box of mandarin oranges to a fisherman at PPSN Gertak Sanggul. Looking on is PPSN information officer Mohammad Qhidir Subri.
A TOTAL of 60 local fishermen and residents in Penang were presented with mandarin oranges in conjunction with Chinese New Year by Pusat Perkhidmatan Setempat Nelayan (PPSN).
The recipients, including fishermen operating near the Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation site, were identified by PPSN information officers with the help of Gertak Sanggul and Bukit Gemuruh Village Community Management Councils (MPKK).
Among them were 20 Teluk Kumbar and 25 Gertak Sanggul fishermen. Others were Gertak Sanggul residents.
Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the state had been giving contributions during festive celebrations to strengthen unity, mutual respect and friendship through PPSN.
He said giving gifts during festivities was a practice for all Malaysians regardless of race or religion, adding that for the Chinese, giving mandarin oranges meant wishing the recipient good fortune, apart from showing respect.
“This is because mandarin oranges are called kam in Chinese, which has the same pronunciation for the word gold in Cantonese.
“So, when you give someone mandarin oranges, you are wishing the person prosperity and happiness,” he said.
Farizan said the state government wanted to bring economic growth and socio-economic improvements to southern Penang Island for the benefit of the locals through the PSI project.
Work to resubmit the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for approval, he said, was going well.
“If all goes smoothly, we will be able to start the reclamation and financial aid or ex-gratia payments to fishermen who have registered for the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) this year.”
He said the state government would kick off other initiatives such as seafarer courses and free tuition classes, besides creating business and job opportunities under Pelitaku, a community involvement programme coordinated by PPSN.
He added that PPSN was a one-stop centre that disseminated information on the PSI.
Apart from being the mediator between the state government and the people, by helping the administration identify and address south ern Penang Island fishermen issues, PPSN also organises social programmes for the local community’s benefit.
PPSN now operates in Permatang Damar Laut, Gertak Sanggul and Sungai Batu from 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays except public holidays.
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