GEORGE TOWN – After several deaths on Penang Bridge recently, Penang MCA has set up a team of 18 people to patrol the bridge for 24 hours each day for the next week.
The party’s social movement division will be engaging fishermen in Batu Uban to make their rounds below the bridge.
For a start, the team will be patrolling by cars and motorcycles every hour, equipped with life jackets and buoys.
Party division chief Cheah Chin Woon took the state government to task in a press conference yesterday, questioning its plans to help people out of depression.
“Since they have not done anything, we will start our own operation where we get volunteers and pay fishermen to patrol the area.”
He also hopes this will inspire the state government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other agencies to do the same.
This operation will cost RM20,000, which includes paying volunteers RM10 per hour, paying the fishermen and purchasing equipment.
Meanwhile, senator Lim Hui Ling of DAP said the federal and state governments, the private sector, NGOs and grassroot groups should work to provide a social safety net.
In a statement, she suggested building a strong support network for individuals and families through grassroot groups led by village community management councils, women and family development committees, and Penang youth committees at each residential area.
This can be in the form of counselling, support groups or fellowship, and also through the provision of financial or material aid. – The Vibes, May 26, 2022
Additional reporting by Ian McIntyre
