A 40-year-old housewife from Tanjung Bungah, Gan Swee Lian, was overjoyed to win a BYD electric car worth RM170,000 through the “Pearl: One Touch Penang” app contest. Gan emerged as the grand prize winner among 100,000 participants, making this her second big win after claiming RM7,500 worth of shopping vouchers at an international expo years ago.
Gan, accompanied by her husband, Tan Boon Seng (a property manager), and their two children, shared her excitement:
“I’m thrilled to receive this amazing New Year gift. Though we already have a car, my husband and I will share this new electric vehicle.”
Event Highlights
Penang Island Mayor Datuk Rajendran revealed that the contest, launched on April 8, 2023, concluded on December 31, 2023, and attracted 100,000 participants. The final draw selected 139 winners, but only 56 attended the ceremony.
Additional Winners:
- 5 lucky participants walked away with electric motorcycles.
- Komtar State Assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and special assistant Yeoh Booi Woi won mini tablet computers, adding joy to their Lunar New Year celebrations.
Teh Lai Heng humorously remarked: “I was just helping a friend pay public housing rent using the app. Winning was a delightful surprise!”
Meanwhile, Yeoh admitted she initially thought the call inviting her to the ceremony might be a scam.
Pearl App Impact
Penang State Executive Council Chairman for Local Government and Town Planning, Jagdeep Singh Deo, highlighted the app's achievements:
- Over 27,025 downloads since launch.
- Payments made through the app have reached RM5.28 million as of December 2023.
The app integrates 100+ services, including property tax payments, public facility reservations, and inspections. As Malaysia’s first local government e-wallet, it symbolizes Penang’s commitment to digital transformation and aligns with its Penang 2030 Vision for a smarter and inclusive society.
Ongoing Rewards
Users who pay property tax via the app by February 28, 2025, will receive a 1% cashback, credited to their Pearl e-wallet. The app’s “Pay & Win” initiative offers attractive prizes, including electric vehicles and motorcycles, to encourage user engagement.
The ceremony concluded with gratitude expressed by key officials, including 1st Avenue Mall’s Assistant GM Chan Ling Fong, MPay Group Managing Director Datuk Chew Chee Seng, and Penang Island City Council Secretary Joseph Ng.
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