Latest news with #SeberangPeraiCityCouncil
The Star
14-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Penang embraces pinang revival to reclaim heritage
Left: Sundarajoo (in white) and Baderul Amin (left) watering 'pinang' sapling at the event, with MBSP councillors. Photos: — LIM BENG TATT/The Star THE pinang tree – once so common it gave Penang its name – is getting a big push for a comeback. Locals are welcoming a state plan to plant 100,000 pinang trees across the mainland and island, calling it a meaningful way to restore Penang's natural identity. Technician Mohd Azri Adzemi, 38, said it was a timely move. 'Penangites should be proud of this initiative because we will again have so many pinang trees all over the state to remind everyone of how our state got its name,' he said. Irsyam: The pinang tree is more than just a tree for Penang. Mohd Azri, who lives in Bertam, said the programme would also help beautify Penang and create a greener, more vibrant landscape. Irsyam Ibrahim, 43, said the pinang tree was more than just a tree for Penang. 'Planting many of them across Penang makes perfect sense,' he said. The two were among visitors at Vision Park in Bertam during the weekend, where the 'Pinang Tree Planting' programme was launched in conjunction with the state-level National Landscape Day 2025. About 100 Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) staff and their family members joined in, planting around 50 pinang trees at the park. State housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said the goal this year was to plant at least 100,000 trees to revive the original identity of Penang. 'With help from both our local councils, we will plant pinang trees in every corner of the state,' he said. He noted the effort was not only about creating visual landmarks at key entry points. 'It's also about filling central medians and roadside verges with pinang trees wherever we can. 'Our hope is to go beyond the 100,000-tree target by the time we celebrate state-level National Landscape Day in October,' he added. Sundarajoo said the tree- planting campaign was meant to reconnect with Penang's roots, not just beautify public spaces. MBSP will meet two-thirds of the planting target, as more land is available on the mainland, while the rest will be handled by Penang Island City Council. Seberang Perai mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid said the pinang tree was more than just a landscaping choice. 'It is a symbol of Penang's identity and heritage. 'Planting it is a way of honouring and reviving the origins of our state's name, Pulau Pinang,' he said. He noted the project supported Penang2030 vision to be a green, smart state that is family-focused and nationally inspiring, by balancing physical growth with environmental sustainability. The core aim, Baderul Amin said, was to raise awareness about conservation while greening areas increasingly affected by development. 'It highlights Penang's cultural roots. The pinang tree is an emblem of our state. 'This programme helps reduce our carbon footprint and promotes a shared responsibility to care for the environment,' he added. Penang's name comes from the areca nut palm (Areca catechu), a species that once grew abundantly across the island. Historical accounts say that when Captain Francis Light landed here in 1786, he found the island thick with pinang trees – a detail believed to have inspired the name. Although the British colonial government named it Prince of Wales Island, the local name Pulau Pinang became commonly used. Eventually, the English-speaking world adopted the simplified state name Penang, which refers to both the island and mainland Seberang Perai.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Thousands enjoy a day in the kampung
Family fun: Visitors taking in the sights and sounds of the Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 in Kampung Agong, Penaga. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star KEPALA BATAS: Thousands of visitors flocked to the Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025. Despite the sweltering heat, many families, including those with young children, turned up in high spirits to take part in the festivities held at Kampung Agong in Penaga yesterday. Mohd Hilfy Hizir, 35, travelled from Penang Island with his wife and two children to experience the celebration for the first time. 'I have been here several times, but this is our first time joining in the celebration. It's worth the drive,' said the private company executive. 'My children enjoyed themselves and it's great to see culture celebrated in such a lively way.' Another parent, 41-year-old Nurfarazila Radzi, said she did not want to miss the festival as it offered her children a valuable opportunity to experience cross-cultural traditions and get a glimpse of authentic kampung life. 'Events like this remind our children where we come from. They spend so much time with gadgets these days. It's nice to bring them back to nature and our roots,' she said. Her children had a good time trying out traditional games like congkak and kite-flying at the padi field. Cassidy Jitien, 38, a civil servant, said it was his first time visiting Kampung Agong and described the experience as refreshing. 'It's peaceful and nostalgic. You don't get to see scenes like this in the city,' he said, referring to the padi field, wooden houses and kids running barefoot. Cassidy, who brought along his three young daughters, said it was also a meaningful way for his family to unwind and reconnect with their cultural roots. Originally from Sarawak, Cassidy shared that the kampung setting reminded him of his childhood days in rural Borneo. 'This kind of environment brings back memories of my grandparents' village. 'I want my daughters to appreciate these traditions and not grow up thinking that culture only exists in books or museums,' he added. Among the activities were traditional performances and workshops such as batik painting, silat and wayang kulit, as well as traditional games like sepak raga bulatan. The festival also featured traditional food stalls and a handicraft market – all reflecting the diverse heritage of Seberang Perai. The event combines the annual Penang2030 celebration with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. It is a collaboration between the Chief Minister's Office, Seberang Perai City Council, Penang Island City Council, Tech Dome Penang and Penang Green Council.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Penang2030 Festival and Seberang Perai Heritage Day kicks off
KEPALA BATAS: The Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 kicked off at Kampung Agong in Penaga on Saturday (July 12). The festival began at 2pm and combines the annual Penang2030 celebration with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. Taking place in a harmonious and meaningful atmosphere at Kampung Agong, thousands of visitors joined in the festivities. Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid said the festival marks a historic milestone in the cultural development of the state, as the Penang2030 Festival is being held for the first time on Seberang Perai soil, in conjunction with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. "It is a pioneering celebration, rich with symbolic significance and deep meaning. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to honouring heritage while driving progress, in line with the aspiration to shape Seberang Perai into a competitive and soulful city," he said during his speech. Among the festival activities at Kampung Agong were traditional performances and workshops such as batik painting, silat, and wayang kulit, as well as traditional games like sepak raga bulatan. There were also colouring contests, sack races, traditional pageant competitions, and many other traditional games. The festival also featured traditional food stalls, heritage games, cultural performances, and a handicraft market, reflecting the diverse heritage of Seberang Perai. Visitors were also treated to food and drinks during the Kenduri Rakyat at the event. Present at the event were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state executive councillors Jason H'ng, Datuk Rashidi Zainol, Fahmi Zainol, Gooi Zi Sen, and state secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long.
The Star
12-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Penang to reconnect with its roots by planting 100,000 Pinang trees by October
KEPALA BATAS: In celebration of National Landscape Day 2025, Penang is targeting the planting of 100,000 Pinang trees by October. State housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said that the state's very name, Pulau Pinang, was derived from the once-abundant Pinang (areca) trees that grew across the island. "This initiative is not just about beautification — it's about reconnecting with our roots and preserving a living symbol of our state identity," he said. To ensure the success of the effort, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) has taken full responsibility to realise this aspiration by officially organising the launch event, in close collaboration with the office of the state housing and environment. Sundarajoo said, for a start, 50 Pinang trees were planted during the launch at Vision Park here on Sunday (July 12). He said MBSP will be responsible for planting two-thirds of the 100,000 Pinang trees, as it has more available land compared to Penang Island. The remaining trees will be planted on the island by the Penang Island City Council.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Perkeso benefits aid hawker after accident disrupts income
S. Vijayaletchime, 40, (centre) receiving the mock cheque from Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim (in red cap) as others look on at her flat in Machang Bubok, Penang. BUKIT MERTAJAM: Bringing in around RM100 or more a day selling Indian economy rice, S. Vijayaletchime's life took a turn when she met with an accident and had to sit out a few months of work. As the sole breadwinner in the family, with her husband helping her man the stall, the accident posed a significant challenge. "In August last year (2024), my husband and I were heading home on his motorcycle after buying a new blender needed for the stall when a car struck us. "We were hit by a car near a petrol station. "My husband was unharmed but I had injuries to my knee and hip, requiring three months of bed rest. "This derailed our income as I need to cook and was told not to do strenuous activities," she said when met at her flat during the handing over ceremony of the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) benefits under its Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) in Machang Bubok on Thursday (July 10). The 40-year-old received RM13,354.29 in benefits in lieu of three months' medical leave. The mother of two said while her daughter is married, her son is only 17 years old and in school, which means there were monthly expenses they needed to meet. "I can make around RM7.50 per plate that I sell and on a good day can even take home RM150, so it was difficult for us. "My son-in-law and family members helped out with our finances but it was still difficult as we had to take money from others and it was not enough. "I am glad to be better and managed to resume work in December last year (2024)," she said. She found out that Perkeso covered such incidents through a friend and was grateful that it was an easy process to make the application. 'I did not sign up for Perkeso, but all registered hawkers (under the Seberang Perai City Council) here in Bukit Mertajam have been signed up for it by our MP Steven Sim for free. "I was unaware of the perks until someone told me I could claim for my loss of income. "The money came in handy and helped me settle some debts and manage my finances," she said. Sim, the Bukit Mertajam MP, who handed over the mock cheque to Vijayaletchime, said he had covered the annual contribution for some 3,000 traders last year. "This is the second year I am doing this. "We renewed 1,976 contributions this month, while 205 others opted to pay the RM70 on their own," he said. Sim, who is also the Human Resources minister, urged more self-employed individuals, part-timers, and hawkers to sign up, calling it an important safety net when the unexpected happens. "I urge everyone who is self-employed to contribute as it keeps you protected if anything untoward were to happen. "I want to remind people who are contributing that you are entitled to claim as well as many are unaware of the perks," he said.
