15/07/2026

WEDNESDAY | JULY 15, 2026

FOLLOW

ON FACEBOOK

4

Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

Penang honours unsung frontline municipal workers

Animal Welfare Forum to enhance governance PUTRAJAYA: The two-day Animal Welfare Forum here is a platform to strengthen governance, knowledge-sharing and strategic collaboration between various stakeholders from home and abroad to improve animal welfare standards in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region. The Veterinary Services Department said the forum, which began yesterday, was organised by the Veterinary Regulatory Division in strategic collaboration with A World of Good Initiative Inc. “The forum brings together representatives of government agencies, academic institutions and international organisations to discuss current developments, new challenges and approaches to sustainably improving animal welfare,” it shared. “Among the main topics discussed are the importance of effective animal welfare governance, the implementation of animal welfare strategies in the Asia Pacific region, the One Welfare concept, community wellbeing as well as challenges in livestock welfare, poultry welfare and welfare in the aquaculture sector.” The department said the forum also features a line-up of speakers from home and abroad, including experts from Australia, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Federation for Animals, as well as local and international higher education institutions. It also said the forum is in line with the aspirations of the Malaysian Animal Welfare Strategic Plan 2021–2030, which is expected to support improvement efforts in the governance, compliance and implementation of animal welfare in the country through a strategic science, innovation and collaboration approach. Department director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Haron said animal welfare is no longer a side issue but rather an important component in the development of a society based on the values of sustainability and shared responsibility. He said the implementation of good animal welfare practices is closely linked to public health, food safety and security, environmental sustainability, and community wellbeing. “In line with WOAH standards, good animal welfare practices not only improve animal welfare, but also contribute to a more sustainable, productive and resilient food production system, especially as Malaysia continues to face high demand for animal-based protein sources.” A World of Good Initiative Inc. CEO Dr Michelle Sinclair said efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 requires policymakers and stakeholders to be constantly exposed to the latest developments and best practices at the global level. – Bernama

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

o ‘Recognition acknowledges workers whose sacrifices often go unnoticed despite important role they play in serving public’

dedication, professionalism and integrity while strengthening teamwork and maintaining high standards in public service. Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Rajendran P. Anthony said he is proud that the state government has recognised the contributions of the council’s staff, especially its frontline personnel. He said the conferment was a great honour that reflected the dedication and service of city council employees, especially those working in challenging conditions, highlighting that the recognition would inspire them to continue delivering excellent service to the people. The investiture ceremony is held annually in conjunction with the official birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, during which state orders, decorations and medals are conferred on individuals in recognition of their contributions and service to Penang. A total of 1,221 individuals were named to receive this year’s state honours. Of the total, 463 received the Pingat Jasa Masyarakat, including the eight municipal workers honoured for their frontline service.

GEORGE TOWN: Eight frontline municipal workers from the Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai City Council have been conferred the Pingat Jasa Masyarakat during this year’s Penang Investiture Ceremony in recognition of their dedication to public service. The awards, presented in conjunction with the official birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib on Saturday, were to honour the workers whose efforts often go unnoticed despite playing an essential role in keeping Penang’s city councils running. “When people wake up to clean streets every morning, they seldom think about the men and women who worked through the night. “This award is our way of saying that Penang sees them, values them and thanks them,” said state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye. He stressed that the recognition acknowledges workers whose commitment and sacrifices often go unnoticed despite the important role they play in serving the public. six categories – durian kampung registered varieties, Hor Lor, Red Prawn, Musang King and Black Thorn – with growers from the southwest district dominating most of the top honours. Two-time state durian competition champion Tan Chee Keat claimed the Musang King title while Md Rahmat emerged as champion in the Black Thorn category. Veteran grower Tan Eow Chong and his family also enjoyed another successful outing, winning multiple awards across several categories. He had previously won the Hor Lor (D163) category at the 2023 Penang durian competition before adding the Musang King crown this year. “Winning today is an honour and I will keep looking at how to improve our fruit and orchard at Durian Hill Plantation.” Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted that the festival serves as more than a celebration of the state’s prized fruit. “Organising the durian festival not only helps promote Penang durians and the state’s agro-food industry, but also prepares us for the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition while strengthening the Penang durian brand, expanding markets for agricultural products and increasing

H’ng said the success of a local authority depends not only on its leadership, but also on the commitment, teamwork and dedication of employees at every level. “The conferment is a high recognition of their service, sacrifice and dedication in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to them. It also proves that every contribution to the public service is appreciated regardless of position or job scope.” He added that the award also recognises the recipients’ integrity, discipline, loyalty, commitment and sacrifice throughout their years of service. The recipients are Grade H1 staff from the Urban Services Department, frontline operational workers who carry out 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) duties for the local authorities. The Penang Island City Council recipients are Asmadi Ishak, Mohamed Noor Ismail, Mohamed

Rasull Sultan and Pathmanathan Balakrishnan, all from the Municipal Services Department. Pathmanathan was unable to attend the investiture ceremony as he was on medical leave following an accident. The Seberang Perai City Council recipients are Azizul Abdul Rahim and Basri Haron from the Municipal Services Department, Shafizal Mahmud from the Engineering Department, and Mohd Shamsol Shamsuddin from the Landscaping Department. H’ng said the state government appreciates the contribution of every public servant regardless of rank or field of work, adding that every employee plays a part in Penang’s development and the delivery of public services. He expressed hope that the recognition would encourage the recipients and other public servants to continue serving with

Durian competition crowns state’s finest growers GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s top durian growers were recognised at the Penang Durian Competition, an annual showcase of the state’s finest cultivars, held in conjunction with Pesta Durian. The competition featured

Chow said Penang remains one of Malaysia’s leading producers of premium quality durians, with production increasing from 17,910 metric tonnes in 2024 to 18,870 metric tonnes in 2025. – T.C. KHOR/THESUN

RM5.93 million under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s National Agro-Food Strengthening Programme. A total of RM400,000 of the state allocation has been earmarked for fruit cultivation, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the fruit industry, said Agro-Technology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Datuk Rashidi Zinol. He said the state would continue improving irrigation and agricultural infrastructure while working with the Agriculture Department to boost fruit exports and expand into overseas markets. – By T.C. Khor

He said the southwest district on Penang Island, Central Seberang Perai and South Seberang Perai continue to be the state’s main durian-producing areas, producing premium varieties that are highly sought after in domestic and international markets. He added that the Penang and federal governments allocated RM14.53 million this year to support the state’s agriculture and agro-food industries, including initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of Penang’s premium durian industry. The allocation comprised RM6.37 million from the Penang government, RM2.23 million from federal agriculture allocations and

the incomes of farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.” Pesta Durian, held in Nibong Tebal, featured agricultural exhibitions, vendor booths, agro-tourism promotions and a free durian feast, bringing together growers, industry players and the public to celebrate Penang’s annual durian season. Chow said Penang remains one of Malaysia’s leading producers of premium quality durians, with production increasing from 17,910 metric tonnes in 2024 to 18,870 metric tonnes in 2025. The state’s durian cultivation area is expected to expand to 2,220ha this year.