ROSES were given out to women at Penang’s Air Itam market to show appreciation and mark International Women’s Day (IWD) by a group led by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He was joined by Penang MPs, assemblymen and councillors who also gifted “Pilihlah Reusable” shopping bags.
They included Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang and Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze.
Around 2,000 flowers were distributed, with some receiving up to five.
Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the programme was aimed at bringing the leaders closer to the people.
“Starting this year, we want to organise more programmes where we come to places like markets to interact with the public.”
He said they brought 10 Polaroid cameras and “took photos with aunties, women traders and families, and gave them the pictures as mementoes”.
Ng said markets were a good place to connect with the community and “International Women’s Day was a good occasion to come here”.
The brief walkabout created a buzz, inspiring curry paste seller Ooi Thean Huat to shout out, “Buy one, free one today!”
Shopper Teoh Beng Hong said the flower was a nice surprise.
“I love flowers.”
Tofu seller Jenny Lim said it made the traders feel appreciated.
“Every year, when they visit, it makes us happy,” said Lim.
