PENANG assemblymen have lauded the state government for initiating the ‘Penang People’s Aid Package 3.0’ to assist the vulnerable groups of people in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and a renewed movement control order (MCO).
Besides allocating a one-off payment of RM200 to RM500 to targeted groups, the state government will allocate RM30,000 each to a total of 59 state assemblymen, Members of Parliament, state and parliamentary constituency coordinators.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng gave his thumbs up to the state government for helping those in need.
“It’s a good move by the state to provide assistance to the needy ones.
“With the Chinese New Year celebration around the corner, many needy families will surely need assistance from their respective elected representatives.
“Hence, the special allocation will be used to cater to the various needs of the community.
“I will be also providing assistance in the form of vouchers,” Ng said when he was contacted by the Buletin Mutiara today.
For Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, he intends to provide internet facilities using the special allocation to assist some of the school-going children from the low income group.
“I would like to set up WiFi connections at the various Village Community Management Councils (MPKKs) community halls to assist school children who do not have a proper internet connection at home.
“They can go there and use the facility. When they gather at the hall, we will also ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are adhered to.
“W will also be distributing grocery items to the families who have been affected economically during the MCO,” said Kumaresan.
He added that his team from MPKK and Women and Family Development Committee (JPWK) service centre would be assisting him to cater to the needs of the community in his constituency.
“Up to December 2020, we have helped 1,800 people since the movement control order was implemented in March 2020.
“I have a total of six MPKKs in the Batu Uban constituency, namely MPKK Taman Pekaka, MPKK Lip Sin, MPKK Taman Brown, MPKK Bukit Jambul, and MPKK Sungai Dua. The members will be on the ground to help the community.
“We will be continuously helping those who are in need not only during MCO but also all the way.
“I am also planning to launch a 24-hour hotline for the public to call us for assistance.
“I would like to thank the state government for providing us (state assemblymen) with the special allocation which is indeed a timely assistance,’’ added Kumaresan.
Meanwhile, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee said he would be focusing on assisting the frontliners who are in a tireless quest to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I have hospitals, fire station, and police station in my constituency; thus I would like give emphasis to them.
“The special allocation will be mainly for them as it is our duty to take care of their well-being during this time.
“The needs of the community will also be taken care of, and they can always contact our service centre for any assistance,” said Lee.
Story by Edmund Lee & Tanushalini Moroter