GEORGE TOWN, June 8 — Penang-based non-governmental organisation One Hope Charity has committed to allocating an annual budget from funds it raises to support government hospitals and clinics.

Its chairman and founder, Datuk Chua Sui Hau, said the organisation has been providing continuous support to government hospitals and clinics as part of its efforts to strengthen the public healthcare system.

He said hospitals equipped with adequate medical facilities would enable healthcare workers to perform their duties more efficiently and effectively.

He added that this would also allow more patients to receive quality treatment.

“Between 2021 and 2025, our organisation has channelled fundings of over RM100 million to patients in need and also equipment to government hospitals and healthcare facilities,” he said, adding that the organisation’s funds were made up of donations from the public, including generous donors from overseas.

He said the organisation has been donating equipment to government hospitals on a case-by-case basis for the past seven years.

In previous years, the organisation also donated equipment to government hospitals in Sabah and Sarawak.

“We are now committed to donate equipment to government hospitals and healthcare facilities every year,” he said during a presentation ceremony for RM1 million worth of equipment to 20 government hospitals and clinics in Penang and Kedah.

“What is most encouraging for us is that when we revisit hospitals that previously received donations, we still see the equipment that was donated years ago continuing to be used to help patients to this day,” he added.

He said this strengthened their belief that every contribution to the healthcare sector is not just short-term assistance, but a long-term investment that benefits society for years.

Chua said the selected government hospitals and clinics would submit a list of equipment they need based on the allocation provided to each facility.

“We will then purchase the necessary equipment and present it to the hospital or clinic,” he said.

Among the hospitals set to benefit from the programme this year are Penang Hospital (RM100,000), Seberang Jaya Hospital (RM100,000), Sungai Bakap Hospital (RM70,000), Balik Pulau Hospital (RM50,000), Bukit Mertajam Hospital (RM50,000), Kepala Batas Hospital (RM50,000), Kulim Hospital (RM100,000), Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar (RM100,000), Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani (RM100,000) and Baling Hospital (RM30,000).

Additionally, five district health offices (PKD) and five district dental health offices (PKPD) will receive equipment worth RM30,000 and RM20,000 each respectively.

“When government hospitals are better equipped, the greatest beneficiaries are the people at the grassroots level, especially the B40 group,” Chua said.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow commended One Hope Charity for its continued contributions and commitment to the welfare of the people.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that a strong healthcare system is no longer optional, but a necessity,” he said.

He said this was why the state and federal governments continue to strengthen healthcare facilities and service delivery to make them more efficient, inclusive and resilient.

He said the Health Ministry has provided significant assistance to Penang through various development projects amounting to RM191.8 million between 2023 and 2030.

“In addition, we can see ongoing projects at Penang Hospital—at least two or three major projects that were approved or planned under previous Malaysia Plans and are now being implemented under the current plan,” he said.

He said One Hope Charity’s annual programme would contribute much-needed medical equipment, supplies and healthcare facilities.

“I believe every piece of equipment donated is not just an asset to the hospital, but an investment that helps save lives, speeds up treatment, and improves the quality of healthcare services for our people,” he said.

He added that One Hope Charity has also consistently raised sufficient funds to assist patients in need of surgery and other treatments.

He expressed hope that more parties would emulate the spirit shown by One Hope Charity so that efforts to strengthen the public healthcare system can continue to be driven collectively.

GEORGE TOWN, June 6 — After nearly two decades of being recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site, Penang is now in a stronger position to manage and preserve George Town due to various efforts undertaken since the recognition on July 7, 2008.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the 18-year journey was not easy as the state government faced various challenges, especially in the first five years after George Town was recognised as a World Heritage Site.

However, he said that continuous efforts involving the implementation of legal provisions, development planning controls, and cooperation among various stakeholders have successfully elevated the management of the heritage site to a more mature level.

“Today we are increasingly confident as the managers of a world heritage site because we have established the relevant legal provisions, have a specific Special Area Plan, and also an agency that manages this site, namely George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI),” he said.

He said this at a press conference for the organisation of the George Town Heritage Celebrations (GTHC) 2026 in conjunction with the celebration of George Town’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site here today.

Commenting further, Chow said that efforts to preserve the heritage site are also being driven through the cooperation of GTWHI, the Penang State Heritage Commissioner, and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), in addition to receiving support from residents, the community and organisations within the heritage site area.

He said that support for the conservation efforts also extends beyond the George Town area, with community involvement from other areas including Balik Pulau and Seberang Perai, in addition to receiving various forms of assistance from the federal government to strengthen the management of the heritage site.

He said that among the initiatives being implemented is the Climate Change Adaptation Project, funded through the World Bank, to enhance the resilience of the world heritage site area against the challenges of climate change.

Commenting on the 18th anniversary of George Town’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site this year, Chow described it as a new level of maturity in the management of the area.

“Entering the 18th year marks that we have reached a more mature phase. Moving forward, we need to be more mature in managing this heritage site, better understand its value, and unite all efforts to jointly preserve this site as a world heritage and state heritage,” he said.

Meanwhile, GTWHI general manager Dr. Ang Ming Chee said that with the theme “Share Stories!”, the GTHC 2026 celebration which will take place from July 4 to 7, will showcase various myths, legends, folktales, and sagas that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of George Town, with the Street Festival as the main programme alongside the Historic Building Open House and George Town Heritage City Walk.

He said that over the four days, 48 community partners will share their stories and cultural traditions through various activities including 33 cultural workshops, eight interactive dance performances, and 12 visits to participating historical buildings. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Penang is unlikely to hold its state election simultaneously with the next general election as the gap between the two electoral cycles has become too wide, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.

According to Harian Metro, Chow said the state still has about two-and-a-half years remaining in its current term, making it difficult and unfair to dissolve the state assembly prematurely simply to align the state polls with parliamentary elections.

“As an example, Penang still has about two and a half years left before the end of its term.

“It would not be fair to dissolve the state assembly early just to synchronise the state election with Parliament, especially when considering the mandate given by voters to the state government,” he told reporters after officiating the opening of the Sunway Medical Centre Orthopaedic Centre in Seberang Jaya.

He said the current election calendar had been disrupted by previous electoral cycles, making it increasingly challenging to coordinate state and federal polls.

Chow was responding to a question on whether Penang would consider holding its next state election together with the general election to reduce costs amid rising living expenses.

The DAP national vice-chairman said, however, that he would respect any decision by other states that chose to dissolve their legislative assemblies early in order to align with parliamentary elections.

“Whatever the case, we will wait for the party’s decision,” he said.

At the 15th General Election, Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu did not hold their state elections concurrently.

The six states subsequently held their elections on August 12, 2023, with the governments elected then having served less than three years so far.

In Penang, the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance won 29 of the 40 state seats contested, while Perikatan Nasional secured 11 seats.

Separately, Chow said Penang would assist in the upcoming Johor state election if required, adding that party workers could be mobilised as is customary during election campaigns.

He said the party was also monitoring whether other states might call snap elections before deciding on any deployment of resources.