(From left) Kpl Arif, Pakyalakshmi, Beng Sui, Ngoo, Chuah and Kung with their awards. – CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
AN ELDERLY woman using two quad canes was struggling to cross the road from the junction of Lebuh McNair to the Lebuh Cecil market in Penang.
Upon seeing this, Kpl Arif Mohamed from the Patrol Car Division of the George Town police district headquarters immediately sprang into action.
First, he carried the woman’s bag as she took tiny steps while holding her two canes.
She was still struggling upon reaching the half-way point.
That was when Kpl Arif decided to carry her across the street and into the market.
Market-goers gave him the thumbs up and a round of applause during the incident last October.
On Monday, Penang rewarded him and six others with the LovePenang Community Awards for their outstanding service to the community.
The other recipients are Rayson Khoo Beng Sui (Malaysian Red Crescent Society Penang director), Felix Chuah Gim Chuan (Persatuan Pegawai Bersekutu APM Penang vice-president), Dr Ngoo Seong Boon (Penang Care Society chairman), Dr Jeremy Kung Chong Min (Helex chief executive officer), Mohd Sobri Karim (boat driver) and KS Pakyalakshmi Subramanian (central Seberang Prai police district headquarters telephonist).
All of them, except Mohd Sobri, were present to receive their certificates of appreciation and a small token from Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during a simple ceremony at Komtar.
Chow said the state government wanted to express gratitude to all the recipients who have put in much effort to make Penang a better place to live in.
“I must highlight that their acts and sacrifices are often behind the scenes, not widely known or publicised.
“They deserve the recognition for their ‘above-and-beyond’ services and contributions,” he said.
This is the second time Chow had given the awards. The first round of awards were handed out last Oct 17.
He said it was inspiring to see the selfless acts of kindness and the dedicated efforts of individuals in the community.
“As we celebrate the Community Awards recipients today, let us also recognise that each and every one of us has the power to make a difference in our own unique way.
“Whether it is volunteering at a local charity, helping a neighbour in need, or simply showing kindness to a stranger, every act of kindness counts and makes a difference,” he said.
He also called on the public to nominate any outstanding individuals by nominating them at LovePG.my
The jury panel was headed by Datuk Seri Abdul Rafique Abdul Karim, who is the president of Majlis Datuk-Datuk Penang.
The other members were Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia (Penang) commissioner Datuk Khoo Boo Leong, former state Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong, Malaysian Association Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) president Datuk N. Gobalakrishnan and ASP Medical Group senior vice-president Doreen Yeap Gim Ean.
Also present during the ceremony was state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
