THE Penang government has once again announced its action plan to address the ongoing woes faced by affected groups due to the reimplementation of the movement control order (MCO 2.0) by rolling out RM20 million under the Penang People’s Aid Package 3.0.
According to a press statement by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on Jan 21, the Penang government is set to roll out RM10 million, half of the total amount approved, first to benefit five vulnerable groups.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, said out of the five groups, two groups are directly related to his local government portfolio during a press conference in Komtar today.
Below are the two groups that will receive a one-off payment of RM500:
1. Registered traders and hawkers under the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), hawkers and traders who run businesses in the food complex or shoplots and hawkers with tagging or registered under MBPP and MBSP.
According to Jagdeep, a total of RM7,356,000 (out of the RM10 million) would benefit some 14,712 individuals under this category.
2. Hair salons, beauty salons, spas, reflexology centres and cupping centres.
A total of 2,929 business operators have been identified by both local councils, and a total of RM1,464,500 (out of the RM10 million) has been allocated to assist them.
“This clearly proves that the Penang government is highly aware of the continuous tremendous impact that the ongoing Covid-19 has left on the people.
“As a state that cares for its people, we will continue to provide assistance accordingly for those largely affected, and the latest aid package is one good proof,” said Jagdeep.
He also added that the latest RM20 million aid package is an addition to the RM155.5 million aid package that was announced throughout last year, making it a total allocation of RM175.5 million thus far.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said that both local councils would prepare a special portal to gather banking details of all the registered traders and hawkers to ensure smooth transaction of monies.
“All related individuals are required to verify their details as soon as possible, and for new ones, they are required to submit their details.
“Application for the aid can be done through the MBPP and MBSP portals, and it will be from Jan 25 to Feb 26 this year.
“The payment will begin from Jan 29 onwards,” Yew added.
Below are the other three groups that will benefit from the RM10 million aid package:
1) A one-off payment of RM200 for 288 trishaw riders with an allocated amount of RM57,600.
2) A one-off payment of RM500 for 462 registered school canteen operators with an allocated amount of RM231,000.
3) A total of 59 state assemblymen, Members of Parliament, state and parliamentary constituency coordinators to receive RM30,000 each with the total allocated amount of RM1.77 million to assist their constituents affected by MCO 2.0.
Separately, the Federal Government had recently announced that MCO has been extended to Feb 4 for all states except Sarawak.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar