SITE VISIT AT TZU CHI RECYCLING EDUCATION CENTRE CUM COMMUNITY CENTRE

SPEECH BY YAB CHOW KON YEOW

THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG

SITE VISIT AT TZU CHI RECYCLING EDUCATION CENTRE CUM COMMUNITY CENTRE

02 SEPTEMBER 2022

YB. Lim Guan Eng

Member of Parliament for Bagan

YB. Phee Boon Poh

Penang State EXCO for Environment and Welfare cum State Assemblymen for Sungai Puyu

YBhg. Dato' Azhar bin Haji Arshad

Mayor of the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP)

YBrs. Mr. Tan Chee Teong

City Councillor of MBSP

YBhg. Dato’ Khoo Boo Leong

Commissioner of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia (Penang)

 

Dear members and volunteers of Tzu Chi,

Distinguished guests,

Members of the media,

Ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning dan selamat sejahtera.

Firstly, on behalf of the Penang State Government, I would like to thank all members and volunteers of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia for their outstanding efforts and dedication in working for the greater good of our society.  

Driven by the power of love, Tzu Chi volunteers are widely known for their quick action in providing care and timely assistance wherever disaster strikes. In addition to caring for the vulnerable members of society as part of their charity work, they also offer free dialysis, outreach free clinic services, and community health screenings as part of their medical care mission.

Above all, in terms of environmental protection, they have also been doing an excellent job of recycling garbage via acts of loving kindness, bringing forth a healthier and cleaner environment for all. Tzu Chi began their environmental protection measures in Penang in 1997, and I am delighted that we are about to witness yet another great initiative with the new Tzu Chi Recycling Education Centre cum Community Centre.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Apart from being a recycling drop-off location, the centre also doubles up as an education centre. Today, I am even more impressed because, in addition to environmental education, they are also coming up with a new ‘eldercare community with healthy aging’ concept.

 

 

 

 

Staying active, which includes choosing healthy lifestyle choices and community involvement, as one ages can help one become healthier, happier, and more independent. This is especially relevant in our society, as Penang is the second ageing state in the country with 14.9% of its population aged 60 and above, according to data from the Malaysian Department of Statistics in 2021.

As such, in keeping with the Penang2030 initiative to 'empower people to strengthen civic participation', it is hoped that this concept will encourage more elderly to participate in volunteer services and public welfare activities, allowing them to maintain physical and mental stability while living a fulfilling and active life.
In addition to that, I am also pleased to learn that Tzu Chi will be launching the “Meat-free Plant-based Market Place” at the centre. They hope to raise awareness of the benefits of vegetarianism, such as mitigating global warming, addressing food shortages, and nurturing people's compassion, with the slogan "Eating a vegetarian diet is one of the best things you can do to stop climate change - it's also delicious and loads of fun!"

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is hoped that through the various objectives of the Tzu Chi Recycling Education Centre, we will be able to better safeguard our mother earth and establish a more sustainable and resilient society, in line with the state's vision of becoming ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.

With that said, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Tzu Chi Penang on your new endeavour, and I hope that you will continue to excel to greater heights. Thank you.