MCPF Penang SLC was well represented by Dr. EL Ching, Harikumar Katherasen, Paramaguru Balan Moghan, Syed Abdul Rahman and JM Tan in a Webinar Townhall Discussion entitled “Covid-19 ‘Berganding Bahu Ke-Arah Kesejahteraan” (“Shoulder-to-Shoulder towards Well Being”) held at IPK Pulau Pinang on 8^th September 2021 via the PDRM P. Pinang Facebook platform. Panel Speakers were Panel Speakers YDH CP Dato’ Mohd Shuhaily bin Mohd Zain, CPO Penang; Yg Berusaha Dr. Rozaini binti Mat Shah, Ketua Penolong Pengarah Kanan (Penyakit Berjangkit), Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Pulau Pinang; and Yg Berusaha Encik Zakaria bin Taib, Pengarah Jabatan Kebajikan Negeri Pulau Pinang. The Moderator was Prof Madya (Kehormat) Dato’ Dr. P. Sundramoorthy, Pakar Kriminologi, Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Dr. Rozaini binti Mat Shah spoke about the Covid-19 pandemic timeline in Penang; Current Delta VOC stats;  Importance of Immunization toward Herd Immunity; and PPV Walk-in.

She reminded audience that have to live with the pandemic today and that SOP compliance, 3Ws and 3Ss is a must. Encik Zakaria bin Taib touched on statistics on assistance provided by the Welfare Department pre and current pandemic; specifics on Financial and Food Aid; shared a short video on programs implemented; provided insights on the increase in Domestic Violence and Child Abuse cases during pandemic; highlighted on increase in Suicide cases; and the impact of mental stress and counselling provided. CP Dato’ Mohd Shuhaily bin Mohd Zain’s session covered crime statistics pre and during pandemic; current drug trade scenario; commercial crimes and Cybercrime being on the increase with a similar Interpol stats uptake in ASEAN nations like Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia; PDRM’s participation on Food Aid with Agencies and NGOs; emphasized on “Solving of crime issues starts with solving social concerns“; reminded the audience that “Crime Prevention” is Everybody’s Responsibility“; shared concern that PDRM staff have not been spared on Covid-19 with (thus far) 178 cases on record. CP Dato’ Mohd Shuhaily highlighted that commitment and understanding by all needed as we move from a pandemic to an endemic reality.