Big crowd: Visitors throng booths and galleries set up in conjunction with the Northern Zone Madani Rakyat programme at Tapak Pesta Sungai Nibong. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Visitors to three-day govt anniversary event learn and experience duties of civil servants and forces
ENGROSSED in the exploration of the solar system, eight-year-old Mohd Ali Fawaz Mohd Farith was in a world of his own as he sat with a virtual-reality (VR) headset on.
His eyes gleamed with excitement, marvelling at the vastness of space and the beauty of celestial bodies.
“The solar system is something that piques his interest,” said his mother, Azila Ahmad, 41.
“He likes learning about the various planets, so this is a treat for him.
(From left) Loke, Anwar and Chow posing in a model of an LRT coach at the closing ceremony.
“The captivating presentation on the solar system stirred his interest in astronomy,” she said at the Northern Zone Madani Rakyat programme at Tapak Pesta Sungai Nibong.
Azila, an agriculture officer from Kedah, brought her two children for the programme as she knew they would enjoy it and learn something new.
“We came specifically for this. But we will also explore other galleries, booths and activities.
“The last time my children tried out a VR programme, it was in Putrajaya.
“They loved it but it is quite far for us to go back often.
Mohd Zarif (left) briefing Sim on the Penang Mutiara LRT project.
“When programmes like these are held in Penang, it is easier for us as it is just an hour’s drive away,” she added.
Azila said the exposure to various fields and interactive programmes like these would stir the interest of young children, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
“This is a good way to show them how much fun it can be and what kind of careers are now available in Malaysia,” she said.
Fadzli Othman, 39, who was at the event giving out free plants, made time to explore the various booths.
“There are so many people here today and if I were to only stay at my booth, I would miss out on the other offers and insights.
A visitor playing against an AI SenseRobot at the gallery.
“I have learnt quite a bit about the services provided by the various government agencies,” said Fadzli.
Housewife Khoo Saw Ling, 61, who was at the event with her friends, was glad to be able to buy snacks and instant noodles at a cheaper price.
“There is a section selling snacks and rations at a cheaper price.
“I usually would not indulge in treats like this as they are pricey. But this time I snagged as many packets as possible.
The National Planetarium operation assistant Ahmad Syahmi Mohd Noor explaining solar system exploration via VR to visitors at the STEM and AI booths. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB, CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
“As a housewife, I am careful with my expenditure,” she said.
To top it off, Khoo said the freebies were a pleasant surprise.
“I visited a few booths with my friends to learn about things, but they started giving us stuff.
“Events like these really make us feel special,” she added.
Bustling with excitement
The three-day event, which ended on Sunday, was part of the Madani government’s first anniversary celebration.
It was the second stop of a six-leg tour around the country, organised by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) through the Project Acceleration and Coordination Unit (Pacu) with the strategic cooperation of Transport Ministry and the Penang government.
The event featured a career fair and services offered by 196 ministries and government agencies, drawing large crowds coming from the three states of Penang, Kedah and Perlis.
It also focused on agendas related to the people’s well-being, unity, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and integrated public transport.
Other focus points were agriculture and food security, career fair, guide to STEM education as well as artificial intelligence (AI), in addition to public services provided by the Federal and state governments.
Other services included the reduced compound rates offered by the police, registration for Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) and the exchange of 5,000 old helmets for new ones.
Visitors immersing themselves in interactive activities at the ‘Exploration of the AI and STEM World’ gallery.
Exhibition of government assets, mobile services such as dental check-ups and treatments, blood donation campaigns, recycling services, massage therapy, beauty services and onsite job interviews were among the myriad activities.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his closing speech, said it was heartening to witness the overwhelming response to the programme.
He added that the programme was meant to address the diverse needs of the people, and highlighted the ongoing and future government initiatives.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
AI and STEM
At the gallery themed “Exploration of the AI and STEM World”, visitors were given an insight into solving real-world problems and advancing scientific knowledge across diverse fields.
Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry senior principal assistant secretary (Strategic Planning Division) Datin Seri Norfaliza Ismail said the participants were given hands-on activities related to STEM elements as well as AI.
“The aim here is to create awareness on the importance of mastering AI and STEM, stimulate their senses and get them interested in these subjects.
“Visitors can engage interactively to solve the mind-boggling challenges presented at the gallery.
“Mastering AI and STEM fields is crucial for driving innovation, economic growth and societal progress, while also creating opportunities for individual career advancement and global collaboration,” she said.
Mohd Ismail Umar, 36, posing for a photo with his daughters and the anti-aircraft gun on display.
Norfaliza said AI and STEM programmes were brought to the event because Penang had always given strong emphasis to technology.
“Each visitor is given a ‘passport’, whereby he or she has to collect a ‘stamp’. Those who successfully complete activities at all eight booths can redeem a special goodie bag,” she added.
Tech Dome Penang marketing and communications executive S. Sudheasha said visitors were having fun solving Tangram puzzles and playing the “Go” game against the robot.
“The robot is usually the winner. Visitors can beat the AI at the first level.
“After reaching the second level, the AI would have studied your game so it is tough to beat the robot,” she said.
Uniformed units
Undergraduate Siti Norsyuhada Zainudin, 20, was seen behind the wheel of a police car – Honda Civic FE 1.5L VTEC Turbo.
“It is not every day that one can get into a police car – it’s fun. I also get to check out the equipment and assets of the uniformed bodies.
Civil Defence Force team leader Mohd Harith Che Noh said there was a slew of life-saving tools on display at the exhibition.
“We have search-and-rescue equipment on display, as well as victim detection and location devices,” he said, elaborating on how the tools were used.
“A power saw will be used to weaken concrete or penetrate it. This is what we called a ‘clean cut’.
Children dressed in firefighter uniforms getting to explore a fire engine.
“As for ‘dirty cut’, we will use a concrete demolition ‘breaker’ to chisel off concrete to create openings.
“It is called a ‘dirty breach’ because of the debris that is created in the process,” he said.
Student Muhd Wafiy Mohd Hafizie, 15, was seen performing a “dirty cut” with a breaker.
He was assisted by Nazran Hamizan Shaiful Bahrin from the Civil Defence Force.
“I am always full of admiration and appreciation for those in uniformed bodies, who always show remarkable bravery, skill and dedication.
“They risk their lives to save others and protect property as well.
“What they are going through daily is tough, from responding to natural disasters and emergencies to helping in crisis situations,” said Muhd Wafiy.
Penang Mutiara LRT project
Many visitors were interested in the state’s first light rail transit (LRT) project, which is targeted to be operating by 2030.
Estimated to span about 28km with 22 stations, the alignment will begin from the man-made Silicon Island off the Penang island’s southern coast to Penang Sentral on Penang mainland, an integrated urban transit-oriented development, comprising commercial and residential components incorporated with a Transport Terminal and Park-and-Ride facilities.
The station on Penang Sentral will be linked to the proposed first station on Penang island – Macallum via an elevated track above the sea.
From Macallum, it will pass through Komtar, Jalan Gurdwara, Solok Sungai Pinang, Sungai Pinang and Jelutong Timur all the way to Silicon Island.
Two proposed stations – Bandar Sri Pinang and Sky Cab – along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, which were in the original plan, have since been omitted.
A map showing the latest Penang Mutiara LRT alignment.
The alignment was displayed at the gallery of Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), which is now the project developer and asset owner.
MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the alignment ending at Penang Sentral would provide a link to the ferry, train and bus services, adding that the Komtar station could be integrated with two new lines for future constructions, namely the Air Itam and Tanjung Bungah lines.
He said MRT Corp would meet with industry players in the state to discuss potential collaborations in the rail sector, thus improving technical capabilities among local players.
“The project is slated to begin end of this year,” he said after briefing Bayan Batu MP Sim Tze Tzin on the RM10bil project during the Northern Zone Madani Rakyat Programme.
Sim believed the project would provide solutions to Penang’s long-standing problem of traffic jams.
“We also hope Penang-based high-tech companies in Bayan Lepas can be involved in this project, be it during the construction or operation stages.
“They can help by coming up with the latest technology for this project
“We hope the public would join hands to make the project a success and help alleviate the traffic congestion problem in Penang,” he added.
At the gallery, the display showed that the project would provide parking bays for 1,220 cars and 1,315 motorcycles, with operation hours expected to be from 6am to midnight.
