THE Penang government appreciates the contributions of the frontliners who have been working tirelessly to help stop the spread of the Covid-19.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo thanked the frontliners during the ‘Majlis Sumbangan Hari Pekerja 2020 Kepada Wira Hadapan’ held in front of the City Hall today.
“Both the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) frontliners are the unsung heroes who have been on the ground since the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).
“I would like to also express my heartiest gratitude to all the other frontliners such as the health care workers, police, army, civil defence force and Rela for serving with much dedication for the well-being of the community.
“Penang succeeded in recording high compliance rate due to the extraordinary hard work put up by our frontliners,” said Jagdeep during his speech at the ceremony.
According to Jagdeep, the two councils have a total of 4,991 workers with MBPP having 1,900 and MBSP 3,091 while there are 5,000 police personnel on duty in Penang.
“We have been strict in adhering to the MCO and that is why both local councils have attained a high level of MCO compliance. MBPP recorded 99.49% compliance rate and MBSP 99.32%. The police said the state has achieved 98%.
“The fight against the pandemic is not over yet, but I believe we will triumph if we are disciplined enough during this MCO and give full cooperation to our frontliners,” added Jagdeep.
Jagdeep also visited the frontliners at the Penang Hospital and the northeast police district headquarters at Jalan Patani to hand over provisions as well.
He said there are 12,988 healthcare personnel at the state’s Health Department comprising specialists, doctors and nurses.
Penang Sikh Association, OHM, EcoWorld dan Silver Channel Sdn. Bhd were among the contributors of the provisions to the frontliners.
Apart from that, Jagdeep said a one -off payment of RM300 was recently given to 10,511 frontliners in the state under the RM75 million economic stimulus package.
Out of this aid package, RM1.4 million was allocated for the council’s frontliners and RM3.3 million for the frontliners from the federal agencies like the state Health Department, police, army, civil defence, Immigration Department and Rela.
“This shows the state government’s commitment to caring for the well-being of the frontliners as well as showing our support in combating the pandemic together.
“I also hope that all the frontliners will take good care of their health and safety, which I am really concerned about,” he said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter