THE poor and those in need will not be left out or sidelined during the movement control order (MCO) period.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive council (exco) has unanimously approved the distribution of basic necessities to the needy.
“The distribution will begin next week. We will prepare some 20,000 packets of groceries and food supply, which include rice, flour, cooking oil, noodles, biscuits, chocolate drink, sugar and canned food, to be distributed accordingly.
“The packets will be given out by our volunteers. The distribution process will be monitored and further improvement will be made from time to time,” he told the public during a Facebook Live on his Facebook page today.
Those eligible for the aid are Social Welfare Department aid recipients; Agenda Ekonomi Saksama (AES) aid recipients; residents of People’s Housing Project (PPR) or low-cost housing scheme, and any qualified individuals or families identified by the respective state assemblymen.
Chow also praised the effort by state assemblymen, local government councillors, members of the Village Community Management Council (MPKK) and Women and Family Development Committee (JPWK) for continuously serving the interest of the Penangites despite the MCO.
He said that they were on the ground most of the time to ensure that the public adhere to the social distancing guideline and use hand sanitisers.
“Together with certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs), they have distributed food to those in need during this challenging time,” he added.
Chow said, since last week, many elected representatives had already given face masks and hand sanitisers to their respective constituents.
He said that each state assemblymen had been given 2,000 face masks to be distributed.
“I assure you that more face masks will be given to our frontliners and the public when the next stock of masks arrive in Penang,” Chow said.
On the Penang Business Continuity Loan Scheme under the state RM75 million Penang People’s Aid Package, Chow said a detailed announcement would be made on April 7.
On the certain services that have been allowed to operate as announced by him yesterday (April 3), Chow said both local authorities on Penang island and mainland would go into more details in accordance with the guidelines by the National Security Council (NSC).
“I was informed that the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud will hold a live session on the council’s Facebook page at 3pm today,” he added.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud