A highly successful Town Hall Engagement Program was organized by MCPF Penang State Liaison Committee in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police, Penang Contingent and the Security Department of Universiti Sains Malaysia on 23^rd November 2017 at Dewan Budaya, USM. This is the First Town Hall Engagement Program by MCPF Penang State Liaison Committee and this follows the one that was initiated by the DLCs of SPU, SPT and SPS earlier in the year (held on 20^th May 2017 at Auditorium Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai [MPSP] Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam). MCPF Penang has now led with two Town Hall Engagement Programs in 2017 based on the advisory from MCPF Federal that all State Liaison Committees should have one organized by March 2018.

The Key Objectives of this Town Hall Engagement Program encompassed 1. Sharing with the public the current crime trends and issues pertaining to gangsterism, bullying and illegal drugs use; 2. Listening to public opinions on Security direction and well-being of Penang state specifically and Malaysia in general; and 3. Identifying the Penang State Security concerns and challenges that need transformation.

The program was officiated by MCPF Penang Chairman YBhg Dato’ Seri Syed Jaafar Syed Ali with two distinguished speakers i.e. YDH CP Datuk Wira Chuah Ghee Lye, Chief Police Officer of Penang and YBhg Dato’ Sri Wira Ayub Bin Hj. Yaakob. The Panel Q&A Session was ably moderated by Associate Professor Dr. P. Sundramoorthy of USM with the three panel members.

A total of 422 participants from various sectors including NGOs, Government Officers, Police Officers, MCPF SLC and DLC  Members, JKKK (Jabatan Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung), Teachers, PIBG Committee Members, Industries, Hotels and district Officers. A Press Conference was also held and the program hit the airwaves over TV1 News. PDRM Penang Contingent’s JPJKK led by Supt. Tan Cheng San and his JPJKK Team took the platform in a pre-event to help participants’ awareness of the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) application. As in so many other MCPF Penang Events / Activities, MC of the Day James Mohan kept the audience’s interests piqued throughout with his lively commentating, announcements and flair for ‘Pantun Melayu’!