Penang futureproofs for 'disruptions' via resilence strategy
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow described the strategy as a crucial step to futureproof the state in the face of a fast-changing world.
"This is not just the unveiling of a document. It is a declaration of intent – a collective commitment to futureproof our state against the uncertainties and disruptions of an ever-changing world," he said during the unveiling ceremony.
Developed through extensive community engagements, the PRS is Malaysia's first state-level resilience strategy.
It is built around a people-first, data-informed and action-oriented framework, shaped by thousands of contributions from civil society, businesses, youth groups, academics and the public.
"Resilience means more than recovery. It means building systems that anticipate, absorb, and evolve – whether in response to climate challenges, economic shifts, public health threats, or social inequalities," Chow added.
The strategy supports Penang's Penang2030 vision of becoming a "Family-Focused Green and Smart State", and aligns with other state initiatives such as the Penang Green Agenda and Penang Island Climate Action Plan.
As part of the launch, Chow also introduced the Pledge for a Resilient Penang, encouraging individuals and organisations to take active roles in strengthening the state's ability to respond to future risks.
"Whether you are part of a business investing in green infrastructure, a teacher instilling resilience values in young minds, or a community group advocating for safer neighbourhoods – your role matters," he said.
To ensure effective implementation, the Penang State Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) will lead coordination efforts, integrating the PRS into urban planning, infrastructure and land use policies.
"This is just the beginning. While we cannot predict every shock or stress that lies ahead, we can strengthen our capacity to respond with unity, with foresight, and with compassion," said Chow.
The PRS positions Penang as a national leader in building resilience, with a focus on inclusive planning and long-term sustainability.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
18 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Gira, Chukpai to vie for PRS Youth Chief post at October TDC
Gira (left) and Chukpai vying for the PRS Youth Chief post at the party's TDC this October. – The Borneo Post photo KUCHING (Aug 13): Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang and Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon are expected to vie for the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth Chief post at the party's triennial delegates conference (TDC) here this October. Both ordinary supreme council members stated their intention to contest for the role soon after current Youth Chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan confirmed during a special supreme council meeting last Sunday that he would not seek re-election. Gira when contacted said he accepted the nomination after several party leaders proposed his name following Snowdan's decision. 'I humbly accepted the nomination, and I am prepared to offer my service and dedication to the party's youth wing,' he said. He expressed confidence that delegates would make an informed choice on the next Youth Chief, and pledged to strengthen the role of youth in PRS while contributing positively to Sarawak's development. 'My agenda includes nurturing and grooming youth leadership within the party; providing political training and mentorship for the younger generation; empowering the Youth members to be a positive and influential voice; equipping them with both hands-on skills and digital literacy to meet modern challenges; promoting PRS values in line with the vision of the GPS government and; supporting and participating in the development agendas of the Sarawak government, especially in uplifting the Dayak community,' he said. Chukpai, meanwhile, said his decision to contest stems from a commitment to amplify youth voices, address their concerns, and lead PRS in delivering for the Dayak community and all Sarawakians. He cited the inclusive leadership of the late party president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing as an enduring inspiration. 'PRS was founded in 2004 and its first Youth Chief was Datuk Mong Dagang, an Iban. The second Youth Chief was Datuk Liwan Lagang, an Orang Ulu and the third, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, an Iban. 'Therefore it would be ideal should the next Youth Chief post be held by either Orang Ulu or Bidayuh to reflect inclusive representation. This is ideal to ensure that the party remains inclusive,' he said. The Masing legacy should be carried forward to strengthen inter-ethnic cooperation and empower the party's structures for the future, he added. Chukpai highlighted his long involvement in PRS Youth since the party's formation in 2004, including serving as Central Youth Vice-Chief under Mong Dagang, Belaga Youth Chief from 2004 to 2016, and PRS Murum Division Chairman since 2016. 'Based on this record and my commitments, I am confident I can contribute significantly to strengthening PRS Youth Wings if given the opportunity,' he said. Candidates must secure eight divisional nominations to qualify for the post, he said, adding that he is actively engaging divisional leaders to build support, ensure transparency, and address grassroots concerns. 'I am optimistic that, with sustained engagement, we can meet the nominations in due course,' said Chukpai. His vision is to empower Dayak youth, unite communities through inclusive leadership, and strengthen PRS as a credible voice for Sarawak's future, with a focus on education, economic opportunities, social cohesion, and heritage preservation. By virtue of the position, the elected Youth chief would automatically be appointed as party Vice President. Recent reports also suggest Lubok Antu MP Roy Gingkoi and Baleh assemblyman Nelson Kudi Jantai have also been urged by supporters to contest. Roy declined to comment when contacted, citing his attendance at the current Parliament sitting. Christopher Gira Sambang Kennedy Chukpai Ugon PRS TDC Youth chief
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Pelagus rep Wilson Nyabong Ijang announces candidacy for PRS president
Wilson Nyabong Ijang – Penerangan photo KUCHING (Aug 12): Wilson Nyabong Ijang has announced he will contest for the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) presidency during the Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) slated for October. The Pelagus assemblyman and PRS supreme council member is the first to openly state his intentions to contest for the party's top post. Nyabong said his decision follows strong encouragement from fellow supreme council members as well as grassroots members across the state. According to PRS' constitution, a member needs to have the nomination of at least 13 divisions to be eligible to contest for president. 'I am prepared to take on this responsibility with full humility and commitment. Whenever I go to the ground, I make it a point to meet and spend time with party grassroots or PRS members on the ground as they are my source of strength,' he said in a statement today. Nyabong pledged to continue and improve on the political agenda set by party founding president the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, to ensure his legacy lives on and to bring PRS to greater heights. According to him, having worked closely with Masing from the early days of PRS' formation, he understands the party's strengths, challenges, and potential. 'The PRS Supreme Council's decision on Aug 10 is another example of the party's political maturity and commitment to transparency. Since its inception, PRS has practised open elections at every TDC, respecting the voices of leaders at all levels, including the grassroots,' he said. Nyabong said the coming party election would be conducted in the spirit of unity and camaraderie, stressing the importance of remaining united, closing ranks, and moving forward together after the polls. 'If given the mandate, I will uphold the founder's vision of prioritising party unity, strengthening ties with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties, and defending the rights of Sarawakians, especially the Dayak community,' he said. He called upon all PRS members to unite and continue the political struggle inspired by the party's founder, adding that with unity and determination, PRS would remain relevant, strong, and a leading political platform for the people of Sarawak. Nyabong had been with the late Masing since 1983 during their time in Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS). The two-term state assemblyman was a political secretary to the Chief Minister for six and half years before becoming an elected representative. He could square off with current PRS president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, who was formerly a federal deputy minister and Julau MP. At its Aug 10 supreme council meeting, PRS decided that all its top office bearers should defend their respective positions in the upcoming elections at the TDC on Oct 18-19 here. However, PRS Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan has declared that he would not defend his post, sparking speculation he might contest a higher party post. lead PRS president Wilson Nyabong Ijang
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
New funding model for Penang Tamil schools
Chow (fourth left) flanked by Sundarajoo on his right and Bagan Dalam assemblyman Kumaran Krishnan, together with Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng (third right) and representatives from schools during the mock cheque presentation ceremony at Komtar. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star A NEW state-led funding model and targeted upgrades are being planned as Penang's Tamil schools work to stretch a RM2.42mil annual budget across 28 schools. State Tamil schools special committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said 10% of the funds at present was kept for contingency and training programmes, while the remaining RM2.178mil would go directly to infrastructure, smart boards, equipment and building upgrades. He said that while the Federal Government provided RM70,000 per school for toilet upgrades, with extra allocations for kindergartens, the limited funding often led to frustration. Tamil school representatives after receiving their contribution from the state government. 'I have 28 schools under my care and many request RM200,000 to RM300,000 per school, despite knowing we cannot meet such demands,' he said. To avoid delays, Sundarajoo introduced a new funding model for distribution of allocations based on student headcount. 'With 5,250 students statewide, we divide the RM2.178mil accordingly. But some schools have as few as 17 students and would receive only a few thousand ringgit. 'So I have to adjust the formula to slightly reduce the higher allocations and increase the lower ones,' he explained after the mock cheque presentation to Tamil schools by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at Komtar. Representatives from Tamil primary, preschool and Punjabi schools were present at the event. The Tamil schools received RM1,782,000, preschools RM268,100 and Punjabi schools RM120,000. Sundarajoo said he planned to make the process simpler next year. 'Each school will get a base allocation. For example, RM50,000, and they just need to tell me how they want to use it and I'll approve it within days,' he said. However, Sundarajoo said transparency and compliance were important. 'Some schools submit proposals for Project A but execute Project B, then submit a bill for it; that's unacceptable.' He noted that some schools also bypassed district education offices or local authorities and hired non-state approved contractors. 'Every ringgit wasted is a ringgit robbed from the community. We want every sen to be accounted for,' he said. In a first for Penang Tamil schools, the state is also investing in capacity building by training headmasters, assistant principals, teachers, parents and students. 'We will run grooming sessions for leadership transition among educators and hold motivational parenting workshops with prominent Tamil speakers,' Sundarajoo said. He said land scarcity and declining enrolment remained a major challenge. 'Many schools were built on estate land. When the estates were redeveloped, people moved out, leaving the schools stranded,' he said. Eight schools have already been 'rescued' in Juru, Mayfield, Alma and Simpang Empat, he said, adding that he planned to complete the rest within two years. In one case, SJKT Changkat in Seberang Perai only has 17 students and plans are underway to relocate it to Bagan Dalam, where 1.6ha of reserved land is available. 'Once relocated, it can attract up to 800 students, since nearby SJKT Mak Mandin is already at capacity,' said Sundarajoo. 'With strict oversight and strategic planning, we hope to lay a strong foundation, despite financial hurdles,' he added.
