Cleaner, greener Penang
GEORGE TOWN (May 18, 2010): The Penang government will launch the Cleaner Greener Penang Initiative, a collaboration between the state and the Penang Island and Seberang Perai municipal councils with various quarters such as state environment non-governmental organisations, residents associations, the private sector and government agencies.
State local government committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow who chairs the programme said the initiative seeks to improve the quality of life, create a greener public realm for Penangites and address cleanliness issues which have plagued the state for a long time.
“Penang was once called ‘Darul Sampah’, but we want to change that and bring back the shine to the state,” he said.
Chow hoped greening and cleaning efforts by NGOs and the corporate sector would be in line with the state’s vision to make Penang an international city.
He said various quarters could work together on programmes such as improving the urban landscape and adopting and improving roundabouts.
The state government’s green programmes have included reducing the use of plastic bags, tree planting and using micro-organism mudballs.
“It will not be a one-time thing like a gotong-royong, but will be an ongoing effort,” Chow said.
The programme will be extended if it proves to be successful.
“We not only want to achieve waste minimisation through the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle), but also to change the mindset of the public to practise responsible citizenship,” Chow said.
The year-long initiative will be launched by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at the Prangin Canal on Jalan Lim Chwee Leong on Saturday.
Chow encouraged public feedback on the cleanliness level of their living areas such as streets and drainage as well as any physical improvement.
Artist Nicholas Teo was chosen as Penang’s Green Ambassador to help promote a green lifestyle.
The singer-actor, well known in Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and Hongkong, will serve as ambassador for a year to promote green awareness not only among Penangites, but Malay-sians in general.
State environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said Teo was chosen for his awareness of green issues.
“He has lived in Taiwan, which was once known to be dirty. But with proper environmental programmes, it has become very clean,” he said at a separate press conference.
Phee said Teo’s songs, too, convey messages on the environment and a caring society which reflect the state govern-ment’s vision.
He said Teo’s music videos feature scenes of the state, which could also help the tourism industry.
Teo said he would do his best to promote a green lifestyle among his fans.
He will make his first appearance as ambassador at the Penang Go Green Concert in Juru Autocity on June 5, which will feature drama, hip-hop dances, exhibitions, green citizen pledges, a green fashion show and mudball-making competition.
Other local artists who will make an appearance include Rynn Lim, Preetha, Shila and Suki Low.
The concert’s organising chairman, Ng Wei Aik, said some 10,000 people were expected to attend. Admission is free.
The Sun - by Bernard Cheah – Tue, 18 May 2010
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=46905
Daftarlah Sebagai Rakan DAP! 
http://greenstate.penang.gov.my
All Penangites including hawkers must cooperate with Penang state government to clean up Penang.MPPP and MPSP must also sent out their enforcement to monitor on cleanliness daily and even on pot holes rather than waiting feedback from public. Trees planted must be trimmed regularly and this has done so in certain places. If the area is under different authorities, the local councils have to inform them. We want something different form previous BN controlled local councils.