THE “RESILIENCE PARTNERSHIP CEREMONY AND CHIEF RESILIENCE OFFICERS (CRO) ANNOUNCEMENTS”
SPEECH FOR THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG, YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE “RESILIENCE PARTNERSHIP CEREMONY AND CHIEF RESILIENCE OFFICERS (CRO) ANNOUNCEMENTS”
DECEMBER 4th, 2023 (MONDAY) | 1230 NOON |
IMPERIAL COURT, LEVEL 6, THE TOP, KOMTAR
YB Zairil Khir Johari
State Executive Councillor for Infrastructure, Transport and Digital
Dato’ Azhar bin Arshad
Mayor of Seberang Perai City Council,
Mr. Cheong Chee Hong
City Secretary of Penang Island City Council
Mr. Amarjit Singh Sandhu
Corporate Vice President, Assembly and Test NAND Operations for Micron (Singapore and Malaysia)
Ms. Lina Liakou
Global Director of City Engagement and Practice
Members of the press; Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning to you all,
First and foremost, it is my great pleasure to be here at the Resilience Partnership Ceremony and Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) Announcements this morning. At the same time, I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude for today's event as it recognizes benefits in terms of fostering collaboration across the state of Penang, spanning from Penang Island to Seberang Perai.
With Penang’s growing population and urbanization, we are more than ever in need of being resilient. Progressive urban thought processes have become quintessential as Penang looks to the future in transforming into a hub for innovation and investments that expands opportunities beyond the state. Penang is not merely a state but a living laboratory forced to confront external and internal pressures from the arising complexity. Indeed, Penang has become central in debates around its physical boundaries, planning systems, economic futures, social stability and climate change.
In face of global upheavals and hurdles such as the rampant population growth and environmental pressures exacerbated by climate change, prioritizing resilience becomes pivotal for fostering economic growth and development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today Penang has made efforts to fortify resilience through various programmes and initiatives, thereby showcasing our commitments to promote social stability amidst challenges. Our efforts exemplify a tangible commitment towards promoting solidarity and resilience, with the ultimate aim of enhancing the well-being of our citizens.
Resilience is a concept that has subsequently been adopted and interpreted by many disciplines but retains its association with systems and the extent to which they are able to respond and adapt effectively to changing and unprecedented circumstances. It is centered on developing strategies and tactics to tackle myriads of disruptive encounters when a crisis arises. Emphasis is placed on anticipation, preparedness and recovery rather than prevention, and the inherent ability of the system, albeit it being the community, business or city, to respond and adapt to disruptions. Resilience can only be achieved through time after actions or even interventions, as well as the gradual accumulation of knowledge that changes behavior.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Since 2021, Penang has placed the green agenda at the forefront, through the promotion of environmentally friendly policies and practices. Initiatives such as the Penang Green Agenda 2030, Penang Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Taskforce (PREET), and Penang Waste Segregation at Source Policy can be exemplified as our unwavering commitments to create a sustainable and eco-friendly environment.
Penang made history when it became the first state in Malaysia to implement the 'No Free Plastic Bag Day' in 2009, followed by 'No Plastic Bag Day' in 2019. This big leap led to a nationwide 'No Free Plastic Bags' campaign, reemphasizing the impact we can have when we take the lead.
Our dedication to sustainable development is also intertwined with Penang's dynamic economic growth. In 2022, we recorded a remarkable GDP growth of 13.1%, surpassing the national average. This success is reflected from our thriving manufacturing sector, which received RM13.7 billion in investments and 135 projects, making us a crucial driver towards Malaysia's economic growth.
Recently, ESG or Environmental, Social, and Governance principles have emerged as a new transformative framework, guiding businesses, investors, and even communities towards a more sustainable and responsible future. With over 300 multinational corporations (MNCs) and 3,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Penang boasts a robust cluster of sectors and a well-established supply chain ecosystem, ideal for ushering ESG initiatives into practice.
In 2022, we embarked on the Penang Green Industry (PGI) initiative to transform our state into a hub for sustainable manufacturing. Leveraging over 50 years of established supply chain and business ecosystem, PGI aims to foster collaboration within the Electrical and Electronics (E&E) industry. With this initiative, we strive to achieve our vision, Penang2030, of becoming ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The success we have achieved in both economic growth and green initiatives are testaments to what can be accomplished when government, industry, and the community come together with a common goal.
Nevertheless, let me reiterate that our work is far from complacency. We must continue to build on and strive for a greater progress. Our commitment to environmental sustainability is not just about data or economic growth; it is about ensuring a better future for the generations to come.
Hence, as we move forward, let us carry the spirit of today's event into our daily lives, making sustainable choices, adopting sustainable practices, and working together to protect the our “Pearl of the Orient”, Penang. Together, future generations will inherit a resilient, cleaner, greener, and more prosperous Penang.
In conjunction to that, this resilience partnership between R-Cities and Penang State sponsored by Micron Foundation is pivotal in our journey to bolster resiliency. It catalyzes and empowers our community towards environmental sustainability and resilience.
Strengthening our institutional frameworks and networks is quitessential to expediting a holistic development encompassing economic, social, cultural, and environmental facets through these partnerships.
With that, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Micron, our funding supporter, whose contributions will facilitate the formulation of a joint resilience strategy encompassing both cities. Heartfelt thanks also to the Micron leadership in Malaysia (Mr. Amarjit Singh Sandhu) and region in sponsoring this effort for Penang region and Resilient Cities Network for embracing our cities as members, thereby opening spaces to connect and collaborate with the other 100+ cities globally.
In a world where unprecedency reverberates globally through crises of great impacts, such as the intensification of climate risks in the coming decades, the urgency to collaborate cannot be overstated. We must embark on this resilience journey collectively, fostering unified action towards our shared objectives. Together let us build a more resilient future.
Thank you.