Speech by YAB Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang cum Chairman of Penang Green Council on 25^th November 2022 at Loft 29.

Good evening everyone.

First and foremost, thank you Penang Green Council for having me here tonight. I am very happy to be standing here again before you in this meaningful recognition ceremony.. Even though we could not celebrate your achievements like we did before due  the pandemic wave, be rest assured that we cherish and appreciate all your efforts you have made to continuously keep Penang a green state.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This year’s Green Pinang Awards 2022 takes precedents from PGC’s Fuyoh! event in June – ‘Once Upon A Time’. We used lived simpler lives, where we made the most out of the resources we had. But of course, with technological advancement, we need to acknowledge progress. However, this should not deter us from remembering that all living things begins on Earth and we should protect it. Tonight, as this award ceremony enters its ninth year, we will be celebrating the achievements of 32 awardees from Penang Green Office Certification and Penang Green Journalism Award.

Hereby, I would like to also thank you my media friends, your words have spoken on behalf of the environment who is crying for help at this stage of climate crisis. Tonight, we are here to recognise your efforts. Six members of our media friends will be awarded tonight for their remarkable work in 2022 for Penang Green Journalism Award. However, the knowledge and responsibility to conserve our environment does not lie on just one party, but all of us.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In line with the vision of Penang2030: A Family-Focused, Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation, the State Government through Penang Green Council has launched Penang Green Agenda 2030 (PGA 2030). Under PGA 2030, we have achieved several milestones – Penang’s first Disaster Unit Management was established to carry out research and data collection for disaster mitigation, Penang Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Taskforce (PREET) to look into application of energy efficiency projects in the State and Penang Green Industry that eyes to bring together Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) in fulfilling the call for Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) requirements. We need everyone’s commitment and efforts to achieve this goal. My wish is to transform Penang into a green manufacturing hub that we could be proud of. Hereby, I would like to call for the support of all industry players.

Ambitions are nothing without actions. Only by doing something, we can achieve anything. Today, I can proudly say that Penang has taken proactive steps to be where it is today. Please give yourself a round of applause because with your help, only then we can achieve success today. Without further ado, kudos to PGC for your dedication in advocating environmental education and everyone that has dedicated your time and effort to our Mother Earth.

Lastly, once again congratulations to everyone who made this ceremony a success. I hope that with tonight’s recognition, you will continue on this journey enthusiastically for the environment of our beloved Penang.

Thank you