THE Penang government has refuted claims that it is not following the Federal Government’s decision on implementing the recovery movement control order (RMCO) from June 10 (tomorrow) onwards.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said his statement on June 7 had clearly stated that Penang would be implementing the RMCO as announced by the Prime Minister – an announcement that is in line with the state’s effort to strike a balance between public health and the people’s livelihood.
The public can view the Chief Minister’s statement via the link below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158473030919169&id=331360574168
Chow’s statement also stated that a meeting would be held with the Penang Security Special Committee (JKKN) to review the implementation of the RMCO on June 9.
“It is important to note that the JKKN was set up by the Federal Government; and the Chief Minister or Mentri Besar of the state was appointed to be the chairman of the JKKN to ensure that the state can jointly combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The senior minister should not assume that the JKKN is merely a ‘rubber stamp’,” he said.
Senior Minister for Security Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was reportedly saying that action may be taken against the Penang government for not following the SOPs.
Chow said that the state government has always been ready to welcome the announcement by the Federal Government.
“The allegation that the Penang government had refused to follow the Federal’s decision to implement the RMCO is proven to be false.
“The Penang JKKN (on June 2) had agreed that the movement control order must be in line with socioeconomic recovery and in accordance with the Federal Government’s decision.
“State government agencies had also been instructed to prepare the relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) to get ready for the opening of more sectors in the future,” Chow said via Facebook Live today.
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“I am very concerned for the wellbeing of Penangites in the state and it has been my priority to ensure that the people in Penang are taken care of.
“There is no doubt that many people have been waiting for the implementation of the RMCO. There are children who miss their parents, there are businesses affected, health buffs missing their sports activities and so on,” he said.
Chow added that following the announcement of the RMCO, the Federal Government would share SOPs with the respective states to be scrutinised, reviewed and adapted according to the needs of each state.
“As I have mentioned, our priority has always been and always will be to safeguard the lives and the livelihood of the people.
“The Federal’s decision to gradually reopen social and economic sectors now has proven that the Penang Gradual Recovery Strategy was the right and accurate decision taken by the Penang government until now.
“In fact, what we have practised so far did not contravene any Act or law under the Federal Government,” Chow said.
He reiterated that Penang would be implementing the RMCO from tomorrow (June 10) onwards, as according to the announcement by the Federal Government.
“It was unanimously accepted by the Penang JKKN.
“The meeting today (June 9) also agreed that activities that are currently prohibited would be opened in phases in accordance with the announcement by the Federal Government.
“The JKKN will be heading the State Monitoring Committee pertaining to the implementation of the RMCO’s seven-core strategy announced by the Prime Minister,” he said.
On a separate matter, Chow said that the job market in Penang remained strong amid the Covid-19 crisis.
“The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) projected 18,886 high-value job opportunities in Penang – thanks to the investments brought in this year.
“Bosch is setting up a new facility in Batu Kawan and B Braun has announced the expansion of its testing capabilities in Penang,” he said.
Chow was also confident that the state’s Tourism Recovery Action Plan would allow Penang to rise as a preferred destination for tourists.
“The concept of ‘responsible tourism’ will be assimilated in the Penang Tourism Action Plan to ensure the continuity of the tourism sector,” Chow added.
He is convinced that Penang is on track to realise the Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Alissala Thian