MRCS Annual Fund-Raising Dinner
MRCS Annual Fund-Raising Dinner 2019
Held on August 17, 2019 at St Giles Wembley Hotel
Speech by YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang
I would like to thank the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Penang State for inviting me to your MRCS Annual Dinner 2019 and for giving me the opportunity to say a few words. I have been associated with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society Penang for many years as they never fail to invite me to Flag-off and officiate the MRCS Heritage Walk. If time permits, I will also take part in the Heritage Walk.
I have followed the humanitarian work of MRCS Penang whose members always rise to the occasion in times of disasters and road accidents. I know that they train their members to be competent in first aid and rescue work.
The Penang State Government has always viewed the MRCS Penang as an important partner in rescue work and in times of disasters. Each year, the Malaysian Red Crescent Society Penang organises activities to train its members in first aid, pre-hospital care and disaster relief; and carry out several humanitarian projects for the less fortunate in our community.
One activity which is outstanding in terms of service to the community is the ComBase project. This is the community-based ambulance service which operates from three centres -- in Batu Maung, in Butterworth and in Permatang Tinggi. The MRCS ambulance responds to calls from Government hospitals and attends to road accident victims before sending them to hospitals for further medical treatment. Upon requests, the ambulance also takes patients to hospitals for treatment or fetches them back to their home from the hospitals. Such patient transfer services help the family members in ensuring that their loved ones are well taken care of from home to hospital and vice versa.
The ComBase project is professionally run and is staffed by well-trained paramedics. These paramedics undergo constant training to upgrade their skills so that they can give their best to serve those who are in need of medical attention. I would like the ambulance team members who are present here this evening to stand up and be recognised by everyone in this hall. A round of applause for their good work!
This evening, I understand that two organisations have stepped forward to donate two units of fully equipped ambulances for MRCS Penang to carry out their rescue and humanitarian work. These two organisations, AUG Student Services and See Hup Consolidated Bhd, should be lauded for their generosity and kind observance for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Their gift is most appropriate and much needed.
The Penang state government gives encouragement and financial support to the MRCS Penang. However, I understand that more funds are needed each year. Hence the MRCS Penang actively organises fund-raising projects as part of its activities. The goal of MRCS Penang is to always be ready and be on the alert to spring into action whenever required. The ultimate aim is to save lives and to serve those in need of help.
From the large crowd here tonight, it is obvious that all of you support the good work of MRCS Penang. I hope you will continue to support MRCS so that they will continue to provide the ambulance service and other humanitarian work to the people of Penang.