President’s Message

A Strong Start to Rotary Year 2025/2026

I am deeply honoured to serve as the 95th President of the Rotary Club of Penang, one of Malaysia’s oldest and most respected clubs.

Since my school days, I have admired Rotarians for their selfless service — always giving back through charity programmes, community projects, and awareness campaigns that make a real difference.

Our guiding mantra, “Service Above Self,” continues to inspire all that we do. As we celebrate our 95th anniversary, I wish to extend heartfelt appreciation to all past leaders who have guided this club with wisdom and passion.

For this Rotary year, our focus will be on four main areas:

• Environment — advancing sustainability and local green initiatives

• Education — empowering students and teachers through learning opportunities

• Disease Prevention — strengthening our flagship Charity Dialysis Centre

• Community Economic Development — empowering entrepreneurs and women in vulnerable communities

With the trust given by our members, I am committed to continuing our legacy and ensuring that we celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2030 in true Rotary spirit.

— R. Chandra, President 2025/2026

Quarter 1 Highlights (July – September 2025)

Membership

We proudly welcomed Rtn. Ryan Khaw as our newest member. Our target is to induct two new members per quarter, ensuring steady growth and new energy for the club.

95th Installation Dinner — 9 August 2025

Our 95th Board Installation Dinner was a celebration of fellowship and continuity. More than 200 guests attended, including YB S. Sundarajoo (State EXCO) and the Mayor of Penang, alongside sister clubs from Pandan Valley, Taipei, and Hong Kong Island East.

Youth Service

Peninsula College: 50 students signed up to form the Rotaract Club of Peninsula College. Han Chiang College: discussions underway to revive the Rotaract Club and strengthen advisor support. INTI International College: co-organised a 5 km charity walk for Mt. Miriam Hospital. PFS and MBS schools: work in progress to re-establish Interact Clubs and enhance teacher–advisor collaboration.

Service Projects

Gift of Sight 2025: In partnership with RC USJ and other Penang clubs, 21 schools and 450 students from B40 families received free eye screening and spectacles. Penang Goes Orange (13 December 2025): RC Penang joins as strategic partner for this gender-based violence awareness event by PWDC. Environmental partnerships: meetings scheduled with the Penang Green Council and MBPP to develop projects under the Age-Friendly City framework.

Fellowship and Engagement

Guest speakers included Ms. Mangles (PWDC) and Dato’ Jeyashree. We also welcomed visiting Rotarians and strengthened ties within the wider Rotary family through Inner Wheel and RC Sungai Petani installation dinners.

District-level engagements and activities

What’s Next (Q2 2025)

• Meeting with Penang Green Council — 13 October

• Follow-ups with Rotaract Clubs (Peninsula and Han Chiang Colleges)

• Deepavali Night — 1 November

• ILTS and Penang Goes Orange — 13 December

• Christmas Celebration — 20 December

• Meeting with Penang Future Foundation — B40 student fund discussion

• Collaboration with MBPP on Age-Friendly City initiatives

2025/2026 Portfolio Goals

• Club Administration (Dr. Beh): two social events; club newsletter and website updates

• Membership (Hema): eight new members (two per quarter)

• Rotary Foundation (Dr. Jeya): maintain EREY status; support End Polio; at least one new PHF

• Youth Service (Dato’ Tharuma): revive MBS and PFS Interact Clubs; new Rotaract in Batu Kawan; ILTS

• Vocational (Dato’ Seri Ramanathan): inspire the next generation

• Service Projects (Carson Toh): one Global Grant; two local government projects; RCC; Eye Care

• Public Image (Petri Karjalainen): boost TikTok and Instagram presence; RC Penang Jeep branding

• International Service (Stephanie Wong): Golf Tournament fundraiser; Smile Surgical project

Closing

From membership growth to youth development, environmental partnerships to health outreach, the Rotary Club of Penang continues to live by its mission of Service Above Self. As we move closer to our centennial milestone, every project, partnership, and member helps shape a more compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable Penang.