THE GREEN PINANG AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY 2023
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW & CHAIRMAN OF PENANG GREEN COUNCIL FOR THE GREEN PINANG AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY 2023
7 December 2023
St.Giles Wembly Hotel, Penang
YB Dato’ Seri Sundarajoo A/L Somu
EXCO for Housing and Environment cum Vice Chairman of Penang Green Council
Rashidi Bin Zinol
EXCO for Trade and Entrepreneurial Development & Rural Development
Lim Siew Khim
EXCO for Social Development, Welfare and Non- Islamic Religious Affairs
Fahmi Bin Zainol
EXCO for Agrotechnology & Food Security and Cooperative Development
State Assembly Representatives
Ms. Josephine Tan Mei Ling
General Manager of Penang Green Council
Board of directors of PGC
Head of Departments From State and Federal Government
Councilors of MBPP and MBSP
Sponsors and partners
Media friends
Ladies & Gentlemen
Good evening to all of you.
It is my absolute pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all of you to the Green Pinang Awards Presentation Ceremony 2023. A decade has passed since the Penang Green Council initiated this meaningful event in 2014, and it's an honour to once again host this award presentation ceremony, celebrating the individuals and organisations dedicated towards nurturing our Mother Earth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tonight, we gather to acknowledge and pay tribute to the individuals and organisations championing our state government's vision to transform Penang into a 'Family-Focused, Green, and Smart State that Inspires the Nation.' The theme for the Green Pinang Awards 2023 is 'A Symphony of Sustainability.' Through this theme, we reiterate the fact that Earth remains our one and only home, and it is our solemn duty to protect her resources for the benefit of future generations.
This evening, we come together to recognise and honour the winners of the Penang Green Office Certification, the Penang Green Journalism, and the Penang Green Incentives awards. These winners exemplify the unwavering commitment to taking concrete steps toward a healthier planet. Their accomplishments deserve resounding applause, and we ought to look to them as beacons of change for our environment.
We will soon bestow awards to green offices, spanning both the public and private sectors, for their commendable efforts in greening their workplaces. These efforts range from recycling to energy conservation, such as water saving measures and energy efficiency. To our media friends, we will celebrate their exemplary journalism that champions environmental causes through their words and photography. We applaud you for being the voices of our environment and for your tireless work in raising awareness within our community.
Next, we will recognise recipients of the Penang Rain Water Harvesting Incentive and the Food Waste Challenge Incentive. Water security remains a significant challenge in Penang, particularly during the dry seasons. To address this, it is essential to store and harvest rainwater for non-potable uses, such as irrigation, washing, toilet flushing, and laundry. Furthermore, the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is investing approximately RM1.185 billion in vital water supply projects over the next five years to enhance the reliability and efficiency of water supply services.
I would also like to draw attention to food waste issues in Penang. Renowned for our cuisine, the state has a responsibility to address food waste, given the alarming statistics. Food waste accounted for 51 percent of the total waste in Penang. According to landfill operator SWCorp Malaysia, Malaysians generated a staggering 17,007 tonnes of food waste daily in 2021, with 76 percent being inedible items, such as bones and fruit skins, and the remaining 24 percent still edible.
This not only represents a colossal waste of resources but also contributes to global hunger, projected to affect over 600 million people worldwide by 2030. To achieve SDG Goal 2: 'No Hunger,' we must combat food waste by supporting local farmers and markets, making sustainable food choices, promoting good nutrition for all, and reducing food waste in our daily lives. It is our collective duty to empower citizens, food and beverage establishments, corporations, and hotels to prevent food waste and reduce it in our daily routines.
Thus, I am heartened to see all of you here today, sharing a common Vision. I hope we can inspire more people to join our journey toward a sustainable city. Aligned with the Penang2030 Vision — “A Family-Focused, Green, and Smart State that Inspires the Nation” — the Penang State Government, through the Penang Green Council, has been also actively involved in numerous projects involving corporations and SMEs. We are striving towards the 'Penang Green Industry' as part of the Penang Green Agenda strategies.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have become a necessity for all organisations and businesses, ensuring the sustainability of our community, our nation, and most importantly, Mother Earth. It is urgent for us to look into the loopholes and be the solution to combat climate crisis and global issues hand-in-hand.
I look forward to the State's support in extending assistance to stakeholders in fulfilling the ESG requirements, hence paving the way for Penang to become a greener and smarter State by 2030. Through this evening's award presentation, I am convinced there is immense potential for improvement as we work collaboratively to create a better Penang. I anticipate more partnerships among the Penang State Government, private sectors, NGOs, stakeholders, and individuals as we lead the nation toward a cleaner and greener Malaysia.
In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and award recipients for your unwavering dedication and outstanding achievements. I encourage you to persist in your efforts and inspire others to become green leaders. The future rests in our hands, and we must not take nature and Mother Earth for granted. Let us each do our part and share the love for our planet.
Thank you, and I wish you all a wonderful evening.