THE caretaker Penang government today gave out a total of RM117,500 in financial assistance to the state Newspaper Vendors’ and Book Sellers’ Association (PENBA) and the Persatuan Pekebun Sayur Pulau Pinang.
Caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced the aid provided to the two associations, given the hardship facing them.
“Our state executive council had on June 9 approved an RM500 one-off payment to 82 members of PENBA, totalling RM41,000.
“On the same day itself (June 9), we had also agreed to an RM500 one-off payment to 153 members of the Persatuan Pekebun Sayur Pulau Pinang, totalling RM76,500.
“This is our commitment to reducing their financial burdens after the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said during a press conference at Komtar today.
Chow said that PENBA’s operation was greatly impacted following the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.
“In addition to this, the newspaper circulation has also been limited due to the rise of online media,” he said.
As for the Persatuan Pekebun Sayur Pulau Pinang, Chow said the association‘s earnings had also dropped.
“We hope it will benefit from this aid,” he added.
Also present during the press conference were PENBA president Murugesu Muniandy and Persatuan Pekebun Sayur Pulau Pinang president Ng Lean Hui.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Alissala Thian