Ready to spring into service from new base

(From second left) Teik Aun, Choong, Ng, Phee, Wong, Alagesan, Salim, Chin Shen and other PSM members at the opening of its new operations centre at Taman Free School, Penang. — KT GOH/The Star

The Penang Mutiara Charity and Voluntary Association (PSM) has officially transitioned from its container base to a proper operations centre in Taman Free School.

Its chairman Lim Tek Aun said they recently moved into a ground floor space of a flats block.

“The association, which provides first aid such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to accident victims besides basic firefighting assistance, is now set to offer a better and higher-quality service to all Penangites.

“We will soon offer free checks for the elderly on their blood sugar and blood pressure, and provide free CPR training to the public,” he told reporters at the official opening of the centre.

He also expressed gratitude to PSM advisor Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for assisting the association’s 81 volunteers in getting a place to call their own.

Present at the opening of the new centre were Phee, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang, MBPP councillor Choong You Ray, Deputy Supt Salim Emin representing George Town OCPD Asst Comm Razlam Ab Hamid and Datuk Keramat police station officer-in-charge Insp M. Alagesan.

Phee, who was the former Penang environment and welfare committee chairman, said in his opening speech that PSM helped tremendously during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He described how PSM volunteers ensured aid reached patients during the toughest times of the lockdowns.

Wong pointed out that PSM had consistently helped the community despite never having applied for government funds.

“In recognition of their efforts, I am allocating RM2,000 from my constituency allocation to support their volunteer work,” he added.

Ng, who commended the association for their prompt and reliable assistance to the public, recalled that during the White Flag campaign, PSM volunteers provided aid regardless of whether white flags were displayed outside homes.

“I am also allocating RM2,000 to them so that they can continue with their good work,” Ng added.

PSM secretary Lim Chin Shen said the association was established in 2021 but had previously been known as the Community Policing Malaysia (CPM) Penang Charity Team that was formed in 2017.

“CPM disbanded in 2021 due to some federal regulations but in the same year, PSM was established.

“Nonetheless, our volunteers have dealt with more than 700 emergency cases since 2017,” he added.

PSM is located at Block KM-04, Taman Free School, and can be reached via their 24-hour hotline at 016-649 2922.