MORE than 13,000 hawkers, traders and food truck owners have benefitted from the state’s economic stimulus packages.
Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said as of June 18, some 13,876 out of 22,050 recipients had received the RM500 one-off payment each.
That amounted to about RM6.94 million.
“A total of RM11.37 million out of the RM151 million economic stimulus packages has been allocated to assist businesses, hawkers and morning and night market traders.
“The Penang government has announced two economic stimulus packages to help the rakyat overcome the challenging times caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he told a press conference at the CNI Enterprise (M) Sdn Bhd in Jalan Perak today.
Jagdeep said the Penang government, through the local councils, cared for the people.
“We also understand the plight of durian as wells as other seasonal fruit sellers who are impacted by the pandemic.
“The Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) has issued 93 operating licenses to these traders; while the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) issued 54.
“The licenses enable the traders to operate their businesses under strict standard operating procedure (SOP).
“The state also allowed traders in morning and night markets to operate. A total of 34 markets in Penang have been given the permission to resume their businesses as of June 29, while others are still awaiting permits from the local authorities,” he said.
Jagdeep said the Penang government had purchased six million face masks to help the people fight the deadly coronavirus.
“Private donors have also contributed 500,000 face masks to the state. It is important that we take precautionary measures to address the Covid-19 crisis,” he said.
Jagdeep congratulated CNI Enterprise (M) Sdn Bhd for launching the Masks4All Malaysia Movement which was aimed at distributing reusable face masks to ensure a sustainable environment.
CNI Enterprise (M) Sdn Bhd gave out a total of 1,000 face masks to Syukur Penyayang Care Centre, Penang Fo Yi Hemodialysis Society and Pure Lotus Hospice of Compassion.
Also present were CNI Enterprise (M) Sdn Bhd’s representative Cheng Lee Yen and former Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting