FOLLOWING the implementation of a renewed movement control order (MCO) on Jan 13 to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, many Penangites from all walks of life are facing an uncertain future.
No one can really tell what is in store after the MCO, which has been extended to Feb 4 from Jan 26, ends. So, their uneasiness and worries are understandable.
Penang, which prides in her motto ‘Penang Leads’, has come out with yet another initiative to assist certain sectors and businesses affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and MCO.
Under the Penang People’s Aid Package 3.0, the state government has allocated RM20 million – half of which would be distributed first to five targeted groups.
They are registered hawkers and traders under Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP); hair salons, beauty salons, spas, reflexology centres and cupping centres; trishaw riders and registered school canteen operators.
Apart from that, a special allocation of RM30,000 each would be disbursed to the state assemblymen, Members of Parliament, state and parliamentary constituency coordinators to cater to the needs of the community.
Buletin Mutiara spoke to some of them for their views.
Syed Mohd Hafiz, 21, who is a canteen operator at a secondary school in town, told Buletin Mutiara that he was delighted to hear that the state government would be giving them a RM500 one-off payment.
Although some sectors are allowed to operate during this MCO compared to a total lockdown last year, he said many businesses still feel the pinch.
“You can see clearly that only a handful of students are in school and our businesses have dropped drastically.
“This aid is a timely relief for us, especially in the B40 group, during this challenging period,” said Hafiz.
A blind masseur Johari Saad, 49, said the RM500 one-off payment for the registered reflexology centres in Penang was much appreciated.
“If I am not mistaken, this is the first time the state has taken our grievances into account. It’s not a large amount but we can at least use it for our monthly rental.
“I would like to thank the state for their kind gesture,” said Johari, who is one of the masseurs in the Lucky Blind Foot Reflexology Centre in Jalan Sungai Ujong.
Trishaw riders too have something to cheer with a RM200 one-off payment from the state government.
Ong Sui Huat, 70, said he was pleased with the good news but hoped the state could provide more aid.
“At least, we hope for a similar RM500 one-off payment that some other vulnerable groups will be receiving.
“I hope the state will listen to us and see our predicament,” said Ong.
Bayan Baru Food Complex chairman Roy Ang Poh commended the state government for providing the RM500 one-off payment to the hawkers.
“The financial assistance will be really helpful for our traders and my sincere appreciation goes to the state government for its thoughtfulness.
“We also hope that, along with the financial aid, the state government, through the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), can consider waiving a one-month rental for the hawkers here to ease their burden. I have also written an appeal letter to the MBPP Licensing Department on this matter.
“During the first MCO last March, the local council gave the hawkers here a three-month rental waiver,’’ Poh said.
Ooi Teong Eng, 60, who sells curry mee and chee cheong fun, praised the state government.
“It is good that the state government is giving out financial aid to all the affected groups. The RM500 aid means a lot to the hakwers who are trying to make ends meet.
“Even though our business is sluggish, it is better for us to work rather than sit idly at home. The financial assistance is like an extra income for us during this period.
“I had also received the state government’s financial assistance of RM500 during the MCO last March, and it was channelled to us through the MBPP,’’ said Ooi.
Another hawker, M. Thevanai, 70, who has newly opened her ‘Bamboo Briyani’ stall at the complex said the state’s financial assistance is very much welcome.
“We’ve just opened our shop three months ago, and the MCO has affected our business badly.
“We do have an online delivery platform, but the business is still slow compared to the time before MCO was imposed. We’ll try to keep up our spirit in these trying times.
“The financial aid is a relief to hawkers like me. We can use it to sustain our business. We thank the state government for this initiative,’’ said Thevanai.
Story by Edmund Lee & Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting & Chan Kok Kuan