30/05/2025

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FRIDAY | MAY 30, 2025

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Ethnic communities honoured with new signboards GEORGE TOWN: To relive and preserve the historical heritage of the Kadayanallur and Tenkasi ethnic communities in Penang, signboards have been placed at original locations where the community has existed since the 1800s. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the signboards, which also display historical information about the communities, have been installed at seven sites – Hidayatul Islam Association, Nurul Islam Association, Kadayanallur Muslim Association, Anjuman Himayatul Islam, Prangin Mosque, United Muslim Association and Hutton Lane. He added that the initiative, a collaboration between the state government and the Penang Island City Council, would help the communities preserve their cultural heritage and aesthetic values in the state. “These communities, from a very difficult beginning, have strived for 200 to 300 years in this homeland. And now we see their success, with many contributing not only in Penang but also across Malaysia, thanks to the efforts of their associations. “Therefore, I believe the effort to elevate this ethnic group to a higher level should be commended,” he said during the launch of the signboards recently. Chow also said the state government is requesting the Penang Island City Council to consider naming a street in George Town as Jalan Kadayanallur Tenkasi, to honour the communities. He added that the council had agreed in principle to the proposal mooted by the Central Muslim Society (CMS). He pointed out that the Jalan Prangin Mosque is linked to the communities, which now plan to expand the mosque by constructing a two-storey building behind it, rebranding the premises as the Kadayanallur Tenkasi Mosque. “I hope this will be given due consideration,” he added. Meanwhile, CMS president Mohamed Hasan said the organisation – a coalition of NGOs comprising descendants from the communities – hopes the signboards would ensure the history of the communities is not lost and is known to locals and tourists in George Town. He said CMS remains committed to upholding the legacy of the communities, which forms part of the Indian Muslim enclave in Penang, and hopes their heritage would continue to be introduced to the public. “This will help preserve heritage buildings and areas within and outside the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site, contributing to Penang’s tourism sector.” – Bernama

B40 families receive aid via free groceries initiative

Ű BY T. C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o More than 300 households in Penang and neighbouring states assisted since January by efforts of association and charity clinic

cover medical bills.

Additionally, PHA supports underprivileged students by providing laptops and partially covering academic fees. More than 50 students have benefitted through the programme. “None of this would be possible without the compassion and generosity of our donors,” Murugiah said. Established in 2012, PHA is a non-profit organisation committed to the welfare of underprivileged communities in Penang and neighbouring states. Over the years, it has been involved in community service initiatives, including funeral rites and cremation for unclaimed bodies from hospitals and care homes, providing vegetarian meals for senior citizens and assisting students in need. KDS, a charitable medical clinic founded in 1982 as a welfare wing of the Temple of Fine Arts, provides free medical care to the public, with a focus on serving the underprivileged. It has expanded its services to include a mobile medical unit for rural outreach and currently also offers free legal services to those in need. This grassroots effort, now in its 27th year, continues to provide a safety net for many urban poor families. According to a study by Unicef Malaysia in August 2024 involving 433 low-income households in Penang, 27.9% of respondents said they had to cut down on food due to financial constraints. For more information or to contribute, contact Murugiah at 016-444 9246.

GEORGE TOWN: Since January, over 300 low-income and hardcore poor families across Penang and neighbouring regions have received grocery aid through the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) and Klinik Derma Sivasanta (KDS). On Wednesday, an aid distribution event was held at KDS in River Road, involving 60 families. Another 10 families who could not attend due to medical or caregiving responsibilities had the aid delivered to their homes. Since early this year, the two organisations have distributed grocery packages worth RM180 each to families in Penang Island, Butterworth, Prai, Sungai Bakap, Nibong Tebal, Simpang Ampat, Kulim and Ipoh.

and even to pay for transport to school ,” he told theSun . Murugiah, who also coordinates operations at KDS, urged the government to carry out a comprehensive study on the current poverty situation. However, he pointed out that such conditions may not be fully visible through official statistics alone. Beyond food aid, the two entities have also extended support to bedridden individuals and those suffering from conditions such as cancer, stroke and kidney failure, by providing partial financial assistance to

Each aid package includes more than 35 essential grocery items, vegetables, milk powder for children and senior citizens, diapers, health products, face masks and a vegetarian meal. The initiative is sustained entirely through public donations and support from several NGOs. PHA president Datuk P. Murugiah said the charity efforts were in response to the rising cost of living, inflation and concerns over job losses. “Some families have had to borrow money just to buy food, medicine, milk for their children

Murugiah presenting aid packages to representatives of recipient households. – TC KHOR/THESUN

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