Penang Hill cleaner gets award from governor

Proud moment: Sanmuggam showing his PJM medal after the investiture ceremony.

GEORGE TOWN: After spending 39 years serving the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), P. Sanmuggam is still going strong in his job to upkeep Penang Hill.

The 61-year-old takes the funicular train up the hill every morning before he starts to clean up the place to ensure the public would have a pleasant visit.

“I take the 6.30am train and arrive at the peak at about 7am before starting my work, which comprises sweeping the floor and emptying the dustbins.

“It may seem like a tiring job as I finish only at 6pm, but the satisfaction from the job is worth it.

“The air is fresh on top of the hill and keeping the place clean ensures a healthy community,” said Sanmuggam, who was conferred the Pingat Jasa Masyarakat (PJM) at the investiture ceremony to mark Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas’ 81st birthday at Dewan Sri Pinang here yesterday.

Seven workers from MBPP and three others from Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) received the PJM award this year for their involvement in 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs.

MPSP president Datuk Rozali Mohamud said the workers, who were part of the council’s Crisis Management Department, were the frontline force whenever there was a disaster in any of three districts on the mainland.

“If there is a flood or storm, these workers are the first to be deployed to clear the floodgates and remove fallen trees. There are 150 of them in the Special Squad under the department and in future the council will be setting up offices in each district to improve on response time and effectiveness,” he said.

The second day of the investiture ceremony saw seven people receiving the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN) award, which carries the title Datuk Seri. Among them was Malaysia Buddhist Association life president Datuk Steven Ooi Teik Heng, 64, who is also Kek Lok Si Temple trustee and Kek Lok Si Welfare Hospital director.

“I thank the state for conferring the award and recognising my over 40 years of contribution to society,” said Ooi, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Marilyn Goh at the ceremony.

The ceremony also saw one reci­pient receiving the Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN) and 12 others receiving the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which both carry the title Datuk.

Other awards given out were 13 Darjah Johan Negeri (DJN), 10 Bintang Cemerlang Negeri (BCN), 22 Pingat Kelakuan Terpuji (PKT), 70 Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK), 86 Pingat Jasa Masyarakat (PJM) and eight Pingat Bakti Setia (PBS).