THE Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang Chapter has initiated the ‘Hands of Hope’ programme to help needy hotel employees who are impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its chairman Raj Kumar said this initiative would benefit 600 needy hotel employees in Penang.
“The 600 food baskets, worth RM115 each, consist of essential items such as rice, flour, cooking oil, sugar, milk and others. The food baskets will be distributed to the 96 MAH Penang Chapter hotels for them to be given to their needy employees.
“In general, the MAH Cares programme was mooted by MAH national, and each state chapter had to initiate its own corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.
“The ‘Hands of Hope’ programme is supported by MAH national, with its RM20,000 special grant. MAH Penang Chapter also allocated RM15,000 for the programme.
“We thank the Penang government for contributing RM20,000. We also thank the Penang Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace) office for its RM10,000 allocation to help the needy employees in the hotel industry,” he said after the simple programme launching in Komtar today.
Raj said many people were struggling during this challenging period.
He hoped that the Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) would review its standard operating procedures (SOPs) concerning the hotel industry.
“We hope that the MKN will provide us with clear SOPs so that we can operate the hotels with tight SOPs.
“Some hotels are afraid to open because the SOPs are very confusing. Although dine-ins are allowed (with conditions), some hotels refused to provide dine-ins. There are hotels that are being cautious due to the Covid-19 cases, while some are ready to open but refused to open for dine-in.
“We hope to gradually restore the industry. We understand the current Covid-19 situation,” he said.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin commended MAH Penang Chapter for its initiative to assist impacted employees in the hotel industry.
“The hotel and tourism sectors are the most hard-hit sectors during the pandemic. The hotels suffered heavy losses and had to take certain measures to reduce their expenses such as imposing pay cuts and others.
“The Penang government is happy to be part of this effort to help the affected employees in the hotel industry,” Yeoh said.
Separately, Yeoh stressed the need to have clear and precise SOPs for the hotel industry.
“Based on the feedbacks that I have received from the hoteliers, the SOPs especially on hotel facilities are not clear.
“The hotels need clear SOPs to ensure the safety of the guests and hotel employees,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said thanked and praised the MAH Penang Chapter for its effort to provide aid to needy hotel staff.
“Thank you for being a proactive stakeholder in facing the Covid-19.
“The Penang government is supportive of its industries and its people. With our small contribution, we are here to send a message to the people that we can get through this difficult period together.
“We are not out of the woods yet. The state government will continue to work together with the various stakeholders and agencies to achieve this target,” he said.
Also present were MAH Penang Chapter vice-chairman Ben Ho and MAH Penang Chapter treasurer Dennis Lee.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud