10-Year-Old Girl Officiates Playground Upgrade With Penang MB After Writing Letter To Him
The city council upgraded the playground and basketball court within four months of receiving the letter.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 28 Jun 2023, 06:22 PM
A 10-year-old girl's dream came true today, 28 June, after writing a letter to the Penang Menteri Besar (MB) to request an upgrade for her neighbourhood playground
In a Facebook post published today, Penang MB Chow Kon Yeow said the caretaker state government was delighted to be able to fulfill 10-year-old K Joanna Kristina's wish to see a playground at Taman Chai Leng, Seberang Jaya receive a much-needed upgrade.
In the one-page letter addressed to Chow and his deputy, P Ramasamy, the girl said that she was not allowed to play at the playground because her mother deemed it not child-friendly.
"People come and throw bottles, furniture there, and the stone bench is broken. There got big trees need to cut them (sic) for safety.
"(You) must also light up the place, like you have put lights in the Peacock Park with colourful lights (sic) because my playground is dark at night," Joanna penned.
She invited Chow and Ramasamy to visit her playground and offer their assistance. She ended the letter with a "thank you" followed by her name and an "I love Penang" sign-off.
Penang MB Chow Kon Yeow (right) and 10-year-old K Joanna Kristina (left).
Image via Chow Kon Yeow 曹觀友 (Facebook)
The letter was dated 11 February 2023. And after just four months, Joanna's wish was fulfilled.
Chow and Ramasamy visited the girl today at the playground to officiate the completion of the upgrade work.
The state government's bi-weekly publication, Buletin Mutiara, reported that the playground and the basketball court underwent refurbishment and are now ready for the residents to use.
The state MB also took the opportunity to commend Joanna and express that every child has the right to speak up their mind
"This is something to be emulated, as when you have the courage to ask for something, you will be able to receive it," Chow said.
"I hope that this would be seen as an inspiration for the children to voice their concerns or suggestions, be it at school, home, or through letters to their respective assemblymen, councillors, or even the mayor," he added.
He also thanked the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) for their prompt action in upgrading the playground.
