Striving for better year ahead

HAVING bid goodbye to 2023, many Penangites are hoping for a better economy and lower cost of living for 2024.

A local who wanted to be known only as Azhar said he had to supplement his income from his office day job by becoming an ehailing driver after work and during weekends.

“Food and other necessities are getting more expensive. With two schoolgoing children and loans to repay, I need the extra income.

“I hope if the economy improves, companies will raise wages to offset the rising prices of things nowadays,” said Azhar who is in his late 40s.

Another ehailing driver, SH Lee, lauded the government’s recent move to implement visa-free entry to Malaysia for Chinese and Indian nationals.

“Such policies are good for tourism.

“I have received a lot of ride bookings from Chinese tourists recently and hope this will continue in 2024,” said the 38-year-old.

Visitors taking a wefie at Straits Quay as they wait for the countdown.

The year-end period has also been good to those in the entertainment industry.

Part-time singer Melodii Cheang, 34, said she and many of her musician friends had a steady stream of bookings for wedding banquets, company functions and festive celebrations.

She hopes this year will bring a similar wealth of opportunities and is keen to enhance her talent to improve her singing.

“It is your abilities that determine how much you make. So you have to constantly strive to upgrade yourself,” said Cheang, who has been singing for several years.

She says she loves bringing joy to the audience.

Cheang hopes 2024 will bring more singing gigs for her and good health for her family.

“But if I can be granted one wish, it is for my family members to stay in the pink of health.”

Penang recorded high local and foreign investments in 2023 and those in the manufacturing sector hope the status quo remains for 2024 and beyond.

A senior manager with a semiconductor firm, who declined to be named, said political stability was key to keeping the state an appealing investment destination.

“To attract the biggest global players, there needs to be clarity and consistency in policies so that investors know their investments are secure and profitable in the long term.

“One multinational facility can create thousands of jobs. And that is not the end of it because many local companies will be part of the supply chain. This benefits a huge number of other workers,” he added.

Magazine publisher Epril Tan, 35, is also hoping the publication sector will thrive this year.

Epril, a cat lover, hopes strays will get to live free from harm.

She believes the availability of opportunities can indirectly help combat some social issues like discouraging people from resorting to desperate measures and being scammed.

“I hope the government will help small and medium enterprises like my own business, which indirectly contributes to the state’s tourism industry,” she told StarMetro.

Her publication promotes various attractions in Penang, but rising costs have made it challenging to sustain the venture.

As a cat lover, she hopes her furry friends, particularly strays, will live this year free from harm.

She also hopes more people will support the trap, neuter and release initiative.

Rev Barnabas: We pray that Covid-19 will disappear so people can move forward with fewer worries.

Penang Tamil Council of Churches chairman Rev Dawid Barnabas hopes a better 2024 will lead to people becoming more charitable.

“Malaysians have the heart to help but are sometimes unable to do so due to economic realities.

“We also pray that the spectre of Covid-19 will disappear for good so that people can move forward with fewer worries.

“May God heal the nation,” said Rev Barnabas, who is also director of Crystal Family Home which provides shelter for underprivileged children.

Hawker Lisa Tan, 34, feels that the economy should be the focus this year.

“Certain sectors are still suffering. I hope the economy can improve so that people can lead a better life,” she said.

Father-of-five Mohd Nizam Ariffin, 49, said some of his children would be seeking new jobs.

“I hope the economy continues to develop as my job depends on this,” he said when met at the Esplanade ahead of the countdown celebration on Sunday.

Mohd Nizam, who works as a driver for a company in Kuala Lumpur, was in Penang with his family to usher in the New Year.

Mohd Nizam (left), his family and other revellers ushering in the new year at the Esplanade.

Laying foundation for future

For stakeholders in the education sector, a brighter future for Malaysia starts with laying the proper foundation for a good education.

WhyteHouse Education Group co-founder and executive director Jery Yeoh said his wish every year remained the same – that more children can have access to quality education.

“Nobody can predict the future but the best bet to guarantee economic security is to equip our young with the right skills and values.

“If we do that well today, rest assured that when these children grow up and start to lead the community or the country, they will do a good job.

“Our present actions will bear fruit 20 or 30 years from now,” Yeoh added.

Art teacher Tania Ng, 33, believes it is important for youngsters to be acquainted with the joys of creative expression.

“Parents nowadays are recognising that art can help cultivate an adaptable and resourceful mindset among their kids. It encourages them to think outside the box.

“I hope to have more impact on children’s lives in the coming years,” added Ng, who runs an art school.

In party mood

Across Penang, New Year’s Eve countdown parties at various venues allowed crowds to welcome 2024 with much fanfare.

Live band performances and games galore at shopping centres, restaurants and other attractions marked a return to the carefree revelry seen before the pandemic.

As the clock struck midnight, honks were heard all around while dazzling fireworks displays lit up the sky over various parts of the island and mainland.

The Top Penang organised a stunning display of pyrotechnics which illuminated the state’s most recognisable landmark, the 250m-high Komtar tower in George Town.

Various types of fireworks shot up or spun off from the uppermost floors of the 68-storey skyscraper, grabbing the attention of pedestrians and motorists for kilometres around.

A similarly impressive display took place at the historic Fort Cornwallis where a pop-up market took place. It thrilled the crowds gathered at the breezy Esplanade and new seawall promenade in the area.

Along Gurney Drive, concerts at two shopping malls kept the crowd partying past midnight.

At Gurney Plaza, the Bunga Raya Band sang Peranakan-inspired melodies with a modern twist while DJ Boris Foong spun electrifying mixes.

At Gurney Paragon Mall, popular local group AcidicBunch hit the high notes while DJ Ramsey Westwood put on his signature rhythms. There were also stage games and a food fair.

At Straits Quay retail marina, thousands of revellers gathered for the countdown that featured a 10-minute fireworks show.

Restaurants and shopping areas at the marina were decorated with colourful lights and ornaments.

At the floating stage, bands and dancers performed and engaged with the audience throughout the night.

Elsewhere in Love Lane and Chulia Street in the city centre, many gathered to toast to the new year at various restaurants, bars and pubs.

Among them was 62-year-old British tourist Jean Alistair, who was visiting Penang for the fifth time but experiencing his first countdown here.

“There is such a good blend of people of different races, religions and backgrounds here.

“I am toasting to a better year ahead, including peace to all,” said Alistair, who was accompanied by Malaysian friends he made via his work and his past trips.