Market visit turns into floral celebration for the ladies
GEORGE TOWN: It was a pleasant surprise for retired pharmacy assistant Eva Kee when she received a carnation from the Chief Minister on Women’s Day.
“It was just a normal day at the market for me, catching up with friends over breakfast, as Women’s Day is not given much emphasis in our country,” she said.
“No one has ever given me a flower like this – and by the Chief Minister too. It is something special,” said the 70-year-old.
“I love flowers and spend a lot of time gardening. This is a good gesture as it makes us feel special.
“Women should always be celebrated,” she said after receiving the carnation from Chow Kon Yeow at Chowrasta Market.
Housewife Pasey Ooi, 65, said she always received flowers from her children on Women’s Day.
“It is always a nice feeling to receive flowers, but women should always be celebrated. We should also celebrate each other.
“For many years, my friends and I would make plans to meet for lunch on Women’s Day. We have to learn to look out for each other,” she added.
Russian Galina Bashmakova, 27, was taken aback when she received the carnations.
“This is something special. It is
nice when we see gestures like this,” said the architect.
Chow said distributing flowers was a trend that began in the state in early 2000.
“We have come a long way since then. Celebrating Women’s Day is a symbol of recognising their contribution to society’s growth.
“I am happy that it is now celebrated on a much larger scale and women are more equally regarded.
“I hope to continue the tradition of distributing flowers every year as well,” he said.
In Melaka, the pioneer female chief of the Portuguese settlement has become an intrepid lady after assuming her post in June last year.
Jacinta Lazaroo said she had learned to say “no” and even got
bolder when responding to criticisms hurled at her as the chairman of the Portuguese Settlement’s Village Security and Welfare Committee (JKKK).
The 56-year-old mother of three was appointed alongside two other women in the Bandar Hilir state constituency.
“Some came to me with their problems and demanded solutions on the spot. I have learned to be firm in my replies.
“I will turn down cases that are unrelated to my jobscope without the fear of earning brickbats,” she said in an interview.
Lazaroo has appointed six women in the 13-committee line-up, making it the first time women have formed the majority in the JKKK.
“All of us are mothers and have to juggle our time as homemakers, employees and MPPK members, but we are enjoying our task and gaining a lot of knowledge and practical experience,” she said.
Earlier at the state-level International Women’s Day Celebration in Ayer Keroh, veteran actress Wan Maimunah Wan Abdul Aziz, 65, was awarded the Tokoh Wanita 2019 award.
Wan Maimunah, who has acted in over 100 television series and dramas since the 1990s, received her award from Dalilah Awaludin, the wife of Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari.