By V. Sivaji
The Penang state government dispatched manpower, equipment and other necessary assets to Selangor to assist the flood victims undergoing hardship in the state.
Penang Chief Minister along with Members of Parliament, state assemblymen, Penang Island City Council Mayor Dato Yew Tung Seang flagged off the convoy at Padang Kota Lama earlier this evening.
The convoy consisted of 71 personnel, from Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai City Council.
Other assets included Tailift (1 unit), Chainsaw (19 units), Combi lorry (2 units), HST lorry (3 units), 4 by 4 vehicles (4 units), RoRo lorry ( 2 units) and Vans (3 units).
“We offer our sympathy to the residents in the affected areas in Selangor. I have contacted Selangor Menteri Besar Dato Seri Amirudin Shari to offer assistance to the state.
“From the discussions I had with him, we offered assistance to the state to assist the residents there who are affected by the massive floods,” said Chow at the press conference before the flag-off ceremony.
Meanwhile, Yew who is also the Malaysian Association of Local Authority (MALA) president added that during the Penang floods in 2017, local councils from Shah Alam, Johor Bahru, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Klang Selayang, Kajang, Sepang and Ampang Jaya had come to Penang’s aid.
“We are also working with volunteers and non-governmental organizations (NGO) to provide aid and assistance there. This also includes the Civil Defense, Fire Brigade, Angkatan Pertahanan Awam (APM) and others,” added Yew.
Other volunteer organization include Sungai Ara Community Ambulance, Bukit Mertajam and Sungai Puyu volunteer fire brigades.
Lending support at the flag-off was the Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera Wong Hon Wai, State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, Yeoh Soon Hin, State Exco for Welfare, Caring Society and Environment, Phee Boon Poh, State Exco for Youth & Sports, Soon Lip Chee, State Assemblyman for Pengkalan Kota, Daniel Gooi, Komtar Assemblyman Teh Lai Heng among others.
