THE LAUNCHING OF CYCLE RESPONSE UNIT (CRU) BY CERT GEORGETOWN
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE LAUNCHING OF CYCLE RESPONSE UNIT (CRU) BY CERT GEORGETOWN
25 April 2021
A very good morning to all of you,
Among the most fundamental objectives of the Penang state government’s vision Penang2030 are aimed at making Penang a better place, with a focus on improving public safety and cleanliness. With the launching of the Cycle Response Unit (CRU) team this morning in the heart of George Town, we are certainly one step closer at achieving a much safer community. All of us know that fast response is crucial for time-sensitive cases such as a sudden cardiac arrest.
As mentioned by YB Yeoh, the heritage zone is best navigated by using bicycles like how it is being done by the Unit Rondaan Berbasikal (URB) of the MBPP. With the availability of a first response team, it will help to increase the chances of survival in case of an emergency in the heritage enclave.
During the early phase of Covid-19 when the pandemic just hit us, the URB performed well through their support services for the Penang General Hospital and state programmes by YB Yeoh and YB Phee to provide relief to the underprivileged groups.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Cycling itself is a beneficial activity which is in-line with our vision of diversifying recreation and sports in the state. With the installation of bicycle lanes around Penang Island, we have seen the revival of cycling as a popular past time in Penang which gained a large following among the young and the elderly. However, due to the nature of this recreational activity, it is also inevitable that our cyclists are more prone to road accidents. Thus, there is an urgent need for a specific response team using bicycles.
I was told that injuries suffered by cyclists can be potentially fatal such as a bone fracture or one which leads to a cardiac arrest. If such an accident happens, we need professional first aid givers to care for the victims. The launching of this Cycle Response Unit will greatly help to address the crucial need for emergency response in such accident cases around the heritage enclave.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Volunteerism has always been an important element of Penang lang. This explains why we have the effective and active Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) George Town, Pasukan Bomba Sukarela, Civil Defence Emergency Response Team (CDERT) and the likes which are selfless in offering help in an emergency.
Through the state’s complementary strategic moves in pushing for the greater participation of our youth, women and seniors in community life as laid out in our Penang2030 Vision, we are in fact breaking down barriers that hinder community living in our society. Through activities like the CRU and greater volunteerism in our community, our young, women and senior folks will be living in a close-knit society which is caring and sensitive to our diverse needs.
More importantly, all of these contribute towards our general well-being not only in terms of physical health but and also in having a positive state of mind which is crucial for one’s mental health in dealing with this pandemic.
An increasing number among us are now more prone to loneliness as well as desperation and if left unchecked, we will face the worrying trend of people having depression in our community. The state government hopes to arrest this trend by encouraging active participation in NGOs like CERT George Town and other community events which will create goodwill and a positive mindset.
On a final note, Khoo Kongsi as one of the oldest Hokkien Clans in Penang requires no introduction of your important role in our community since the 1800s. I am most delighted that Mr. Khoo Boo Yang and Khoo Kongsi have been very supportive towards the efforts by CERT in building a safer and liveable community in George Town.
The State Government hopes that more NGOs will emulate what CERT Georgetown is doing and will continue to assist the State Government to realize our Penang2030 vision.
Thank you.