PENANG is boosting its smart initiatives further in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the smart initiatives include cashless transactions and the Penang Smart Parking system.
“They are among 75 smart initiatives in Penang.
“Twenty-three government departments and agencies have initiated the e-payment system in Penang and I’m happy to note that there were about 835,000 cashless transactions made as of Dec 31 last year, which amounted to some RM400 million.
“Smart initiatives can help reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection.
“One of the factors which contributed to the spread of Covid-19 is surface contact.
“Smart initiatives such as cashless transactions and smart parking can reduce surface contact,” he told a media conference via Facebook Live today.
Jagdeep said that 56 public markets in Penang had hopped on board and supported the cashless transaction effort.
“A total of 167,656 cashless transactions were recorded as of Feb 10, which amounted to RM2.5 million,” he said.
Jagdeep then gave away essential groceries to the representatives of charity homes and needy families in Datuk Keramat.
He urged the rakyat to be vigilant and adhere to the standard operating procedures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud