Bagan MCA touched by vendor’s plight

NEWSPAPER vendor Koh Yin Cheng, who has been suffering from ‘wobbling knees’ for the past seven years, badly requires knee replacement surgery on both knees.

The 54-year-old, who limps as he walks to sell newspapers daily on Jalan Raja Uda in Penang has been finding it hard to raise funds for his surgery.

Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua responded to his plight by sourcing RM14,000 from the 1Malaysia MCA Medical Fund for Koh’s surgery.

Chua said a private hospital had initially proposed to perform Koh’s surgery at the cost of RM40,000.

“But after I took him for a full medical check-up at the Seberang Jaya Hospital, we found out that the surgery could be done there for free.

“He only needs to pay for the equipment used in the surgery that cost RM14,000,” he said after MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai presented Koh a cheque for RM14,000 for the surgery at a restaurant on Jalan Raja Uda recently.

■For your op: Liow (in red) discussing with Koh (second right) while presenting the 1Malaysia MCA Medical Fund cheque to him. With them are (from right) Chua, Bagan MCA division chairman Lee Chee They and his deputy Sum Yoo Keong.

Chua said Koh, who lived in a rented flat in Pangsapuri Mawar, off Jalan Raja Uda, was a familiar face in the area, as he had been selling papers there for more than 10 years.

He said that Koh, who was married with three daughters aged 24, 17 and 13, earned about RM1,000 a month.

“I will help Koh fix an appointment with the hospital to have the surgery done soon,” he said.

Koh said he was grateful to MCA and Chua for helping him.

“I do not know what was the actual cause of the injuries to my knees.

“But, I am looking forward to being able to walk properly, just the way I used to in the past,” he said.


The Star MetroWednesday February 1, 2012

Mayang salur RM207,526 baiki rumah penduduk Butterworth

Barisan heeds family’s plight

BAGAN Barisan Nasional co-ordinator David Chua in Penang has come to the aid of Lalitha Arumugam who has suffered a string of misfortunes.

Chua said he would be making arrangements for Lalitha, 67, to receive financial aid from the state Welfare Department soon.

“I was really touched when Lalitha related her suffering when she came to receive her RM500 voucher under Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia aid.

“I decided to help the family because the Barisan government is always caring for the less for-tunate,” he said after visiting Lalitha at her home in Taman Ketapang in Sungai Puyu, Butterworth, on Monday.

Seberang Prai Welfare Department officer A. Tinesh and Special Issues Department officer Arbaaiah Ter-mizi accompanied Chua during the visit.

The Star had highlighted Lalitha’s plight when she received the voucher from Chua at SJK Sungai Puyu on Sunday.

Lalitha’s 75-year-old husband C. Krishnan, a former Telekom employee who was diagnosed with abdominal tumour, died in August last year.

Their son Kaliappan, 46, a clerk with Universiti Sains Malaysia, died of liver cirrhosis 13 days later.

Kaliappan’s wife, S. Shanti, 46, a factory production operator, recently fractured her leg and shoulder in an accident while travelling to her workplace.

Lalitha’s daughter Kanchana, 45, a clinic assistant, was widowed five years ago when her husband, M. Nagarethinam, then 43, an ambulance driver, died from brain haemorrhage after a fall while helping to clean a temple.

Shanti has three children aged between 13 and 22, and Kanchana has three, aged between 12 and 19.

Three of Lalitha’s grandchildren were pursuing diploma courses at Politeknik Seberang Prai, while her remaining grandchildren were still schooling.

BN Bagan unstoppable public service

THE Bagan Barisan Nasional coordinator David Chua said that the Bagan MCA service centre on Jalan Kampung Bengali in Butterworth would be opened from noon to 5pm Monday to Sunday to receive the BR1M forms .

He said applicants could also submit their forms at the service centre of Bagan Dalam BN coordinator M. Karuppanan located on Jalan New Ferry from 10am to 5pm.

Bagan MCA had given away 25,000 BR1M forms in the constituency and had received more than 5,000 forms back, he added.

Chua, who is also the Bagan MCA division Youth head, said this after handing over 2,000 applications forms to the Inland Revenue Board office at Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam on Friday.

Karuppanan also submitted about 2,000 forms which were collected by his service centre while Bukit Mertajam MIC division head Datuk K.R. Murugaiah handed over 2,500 forms.

Under Budget 2012, the Government has allocated a one-off cash assistance of RM500 for households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and below under the scheme.

The deadline for the application to be submitted is Jan 10, next year.

For more details, call 04-8296 269/2268207/016-4788383.


Mobile centre filled to the BR1M

At a separate event, Bukit Bendera Barisan Nasional mobile service centre in Penang, which was set up to help the people with the application and submission of the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) forms, has received overwhelming response.

Air Putih Barisan Nasional coordinator Tang Heap Seng, who is also Bukit Bendera MCA division chief, said some 100 people had turned up to enquire and collect the forms.

He said the service centre, which was jointly set up by him and Bukit Bendera Barisan Nasional coordinator H’ng Chee Wey, was aimed at creating awareness on the RM500 one-off aid.

“Since the mobile service centre was set up in Air Itam on Friday, we have been receiving overwhelming response from the public,” he said.

The public could submit their forms personally to his service centre on Lorong Sempadan Dua in Air Itam on every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30am to noon, he said on Saturday.

He said another counter for the BR1M scheme was set up in Reservoir Gardens on Sunday from 9.30am to 10.30am.

At the mobile centre on Friday, H’ng said: “I have also prepared a photocopy machine here to photocopy the MyKad and payslips of the applicants on the spot,” he said.

He had distributed some 20,000 application forms so far.

One of the residents in Air Itam, Lee, 61, lauded the duo’s efforts.

“I can obtain the form and brief other applicants on details about the scheme,” she said.

Retiree Ooi Ah Lang, 63, said the RM500 aid would come in handy as it would ease some financial burden during the Chinese New Year.

“It is also convenient for retirees like me when there is a mobile service centre in the neighbourhood,” he said.

A consultation counter for BR1M scheme application was also set up at Taman Lumba Kuda on Saturday.

More than the invited 500 turn up but none goes home empty-handed

NEWLY appointed Bagan Dalam Barisan Nasional coordinator M. Karuppanan gave away more than 500 food hampers to the poor in the constituency in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration.

State MIC chairman Senator Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah said although only 500 were invited, more had turned up.

“However we did not want to disappoint them and all went home smiling as we managed to give out to all the people,” he said.

Karuppanan in his speech pledged to work hard for the people of Bagan Dalam.

He called upon the people of Bagan Dalam to meet him at his service centre on Jalan New Ferry in Butterworth on Tuesday from 5.30pm to 8.30pm and on Sunday from 10am to 1pm if they have any problems.

Karuppanan, who is also the Penang MIC secretary, urged the people to support the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who, he added, was very concerned about the people’s problems.

“He is taking steps and initiatives to solve them and this is a golden opportunity to show their support to his dynamic leadership with the 1Malaysia slogan,” he added.

The hamper presentation was held at the Dewan Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi in Butterworth on Sunday.

Among those present were Bagan Barisan coordinator David Chua, Sungai Puyu Barisan coordinator Sum Yoo Keong, Bagan Jermal Barisan coordinator Teh Lay Cheng, Penang MIC Youth chief J. Dhinagaran and state MIC deputy chairman L. Krishnan along with several Barisan Nasional component party leaders.

StarMetro Tuesday October 25, 2011

Kami Syukur atas keprihatinan itu

Light at the end of tunnel

BAGAN MCA has come to the aid of a single mother and her three children who have been living without power supply to their flat un it at Ampang Jajar in Mak Mandin near Butterworth.

Bagan MCA Youth chief David Chua, who is also the Bagan Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) officer, and Sungai Puyu ICU officer Sum Yoo Keong made arrangements to restore the power supply which was disconnected about a month ago.

R. Kogilam, 40, said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) disconnected her power supply and dismantled the meter when she failed to settle her RM150 bill for three months.

“I went to the TNB office but they asked for the tenancy agreement with the state Housing Department. I then sought Chua’s help as my agreement expired on Aug 31,” she said.

Kogilam said Chua obtained a letter from the department after he made an appeal and agreed to settle her outstanding rental of RM1,500.

★ Household essentials: Chua (right) presenting food item to Kogilam (left) and her daughter Joyce. With them are (from second right) resident committee member Nordin Mohd Saad, Sum, Flat Ampang Jajar KRT deputy chairman Ibrahim Md Din and Bagan MCA member Mary Tong during their visit to Kogilam's flat in Mak Mandin, Butterworth.

She said she could not go to work as she has an intestinal ailment which required her to visit the Alor Setar Hospital once a month for treatment, and her eight-year-old daughter Joyce is suffering from a form of amnesia.

Kogilam’s husband died 10 years ago from a heart ailment. Besides Joyce, who is in Year Two, she also has two other daughters, aged 17 and 18.

She said she received an RM200 monthly aid from the Welfare Department and RM150 from the Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Society Malaysia, and her eldest daughter is looking for a job.

Chua said he would go to the TNB office tomorrow to restore the power.

“I will check with the Health Ministry whether Kogilam could seek treatment from the Seberang Jaya Hospital or Penang Hospital, or if the hospital could courier her medication to her house, as the travelling incurs additional expenses,” he said.

Chua also handed over food items to the family, including a birthday cake for Joyce who turned eight on Sept 18.
The Star
By S. ARULLDAS

Free haircuts for Taman Mesra folk

SOME 40 residents from the Taman Mesra flats in Bagan Lallang, Butterworth, were thrilled when they received free haircuts, courtesy of the Penang MCA’s 1Bagan mobile service team.

The residents eagerly waited in line as a female hairstylist engaged by the service team trimmed their hair.

■ Snip, snip: A child having his hair trimmed by a hairstylist during the community service effort at the Taman Mesra flats in Bagan Lallang, Butterworth.

Many school-going children grabbed the opportunity to get themselves a haircut during the event on Boxing Day before the new school term began earlier this month.

Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua Teik Siang said the activity was part of the team’s monthly community service programme for the parliamentary constituency.

“We are pleased by the strong turnout. A total of 88 residents underwent free medical screening tests. We also registered 103 new voters,” he said.

The half-day event was participated by representatives from the Seberang Jaya Hospital, state Welfare Department and the Employees Provident Fund.


from : The Star.Metro.North January 25, 2011

Clinic to treat the poor

■ Making health a top priority: SPU Health District officer Dr Yusuf Hashim (left) checking Chua's blood pressure during his visit to Klinik 1Malaysia in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth.

ANEW medical clinic has been set up to serve the needs of 6,000 residents of the low-cost flats in Taman Pantai Bersih in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth, and surrounding area.

The new clinic is called ‘Klinik 1Malaysia’.

Its soft launch was held on Monday by the Penang Health Department director Datuk Dr Teh Lay Choo.

Two shoplots on the ground floor of Taman Pantai Bersih flats have been converted into the clinic.

It opens from 10am to 10pm every day, including on public holidays.

Each patient will be charged RM1 each but the fee will be waived for students and those who are poor.

Bagan Barisan Nasional coordinator David Chua said the mobile clinic received overwhelming response on the first day with 41 patients seeking treatment.

“The clinic provides treatment to patients with minor illness like coughs and colds, fever and minor skin diseases.

“Checks for high blood pressure and glucose tests are also carried out,” said Chua.

He urged the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) to clear the litter and clogged drains near the clinic.

He also called the MPSP to get rid of the debris near Taman Tun Awang to enable the residents there to take a short-cut route to the clinic.

Chua also said that he would speak to Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai about the benefits of having the clinic in the area.

from : The Star. Metro North Friday January 21, 2011

1Bagan Mobile service team's first community service

WHEN the 1Bagan Mobile service team conducted its first community service, they only expected a handful of people to turn up at the Tow Boo Kong Temple in Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth.

But they were proven wrong when more than 125 people thronged the temple premises to take advantage of the free medical checkup, which included sugar level and blood pressure screening, from 8.30am till noon on Sunday.

Bagan MCA Youth chief David Chua said eight volunteers from the Segi Nursing College on the island conducted the medical check-up with help from Sungai Dua government health clinic representatives.

"The state Welfare Department also sent a six-member team to register the poor for welfare aid. More than 20 people registered for welfare aid on that day."

"At the same time, the Election Commission also set up at booth and managed to register about 100 new voters." he said in a press statement on Monday.

Chua, who is also Bagan parliamentary Barisan Nasional(BN) co-ordinator, said MCA members from the Bagan division turned up in full force to help.

click to view album 按此观看照相簿

The Star.Metro 09.09.2010

MCA division sets up service team to help needy folk

COME tomorrow(28 August), the Bagan MCA division in Penang will launch the 1Bagan Community Service Team aimed at helping the people.

Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua said the team would be going around their divisions to register new voters and provide assistance to single mothers, the handicapped, poor and needy.

“Representatives from the Federal Government together with the state Welfare Department, state Health Department and Election Commission will be present at the launching.

“It will be held at the Tow Boo Kong Temple on Jalan Raja Uda from 8.30am,” he told a press conference at the Bagan MCA division headquarters on Jalan Kampung Benggali.

“Even though Barisan Nasional lost some of the seats in the last general election, we are still committed to helping the folk,” he said.

Also present were state MIC liaison committee chairman Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah, Bagan MCA Wanita chief Teh Lay Cheng and Bagan MCA division vice-chairman Sum Yoo Keong.

Chua, who is also the Barisan Nasional parliamentary co-ordinator, said the service team would go around the Bagan constituency looking for people to help.

Subbaiyah praised the people’s outreach programme to be carried out by the Bagan MCA.

■ Bagan BN 1Malaysia mobile service project committee members (seated from left) State MIC Chairman Datuk PK Subbaiyah, Bagan BN Parlimentary Co-ordinator David Chua, Bagan MCA Vice-chairman Sum Yoo Keong and Bagan Jermal Constituency Co-ordinator Teh Lay Cheng discussing during the meeting as other committee members looks on at Bagan MCA office in Butterworth yesterday.

Saturday August 28, 2010 . The Star

Butterworth : Aid for 23 needy people

Click the photo album

A TOTAL of 23 poor people in Butterworth, including the disabled, received RM300 aid each from the Federal Government through the Social Welfare Department.

They will receive the amount every month till January next year.

The money was presented to them by Bagan Barisan Nasional coordinator David Chua, Sungai Puyu Barisan coordinator Sum Yoo Keong and Bagan Jermal Barisan coordinator Maggie Teh Lay Cheng.

Sum said the Bagan MCA applied for the funds after it was approached by the poor people.

Help for the disabled: Sum (blue shirt) handing over a cheque to Chuah Seng Guan (third left) during a cheque presentation at the Bagan MCA service centre in Butterworth. With them are Chua (right) and Teh (left).

“We have so far managed to obtain cash aid for 271 people which include single mothers, senior citizens and also the disabled,” he said after the presentation ceremony at the Bagan MCA service centre in Butterworth recently.

He said the 271 people, including the 23 recipients, would receive a total of RM429,000 ranging from RM135 to RM450 per person depending on their financial background.

Chua said the aid given to the needy showed that the Federal Government was committed towards helping the poor irrespective of race or religion.

“Claims by the state government that they had eradicated hardcore poverty in Penang is not true because thousands of people are still receiving financial aid from the Federal Government,” he said.

Teh urged single mothers, who are going through hard times, to approach her for help.

A recipient, Tan Seng Hock, 62, said he was grateful to the MCA for its assistance in securing the cash aid for him.

from: The Star. Metro North 10.08.2010
By M. SIVANANTHA SHARMA

Many unaware of RM320 increase in aid

Cheng(right) taking down the particulars of an applicant at the Bagan MCA service centre in Butterworth as Sum (third left) and the division's youth chief
David Chua Teik Siang (second right) observe the session.

Many poor families are not getting welfare aid from the government as they have yet to register with the Penang Welfare Department.

Bagan MCA division vice chairman Sum Yoo Keong said many were still unaware that the government’s monthly welfare aid had been increased from RM400 to RM720 effective this year.

Eligible individuals must register with the department or else the aid would not reach them, he said.

He added that to help them register, two MCA members had recently taken up temporary posts as community development assistants in the department.

Sum said Bagan division member Cheng Lee Sin, 18, took up the post on Feb 1 to serve people in Butterworth.

He said Kepala Batas MCA division deputy secretary Tan Teow Joo, 35, took up a similar position since October last to serve people in Kepala Batas.

“The duo have also gone to the streets to look for poor individuals and disabled people, who are eligible for the aid, and help them register,” he added.

- The Star -