THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) today announced an initiative known as Request for Ideas (RFI), which is part of the local economic stimulus plan, to optimise usage of markets under its supervision.
Understanding the current plight of the people, MBPP has decided to lend a hand to those affected in terms of unemployment to benefit from this initiative.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said currently most of the market buildings on the Island are being utilised only in the morning and are very quiet at night.
“We welcome new ideas from the public through RFI for businesses and other activities that can be operated at night to help those unemployed to earn some income in order to sustain their daily living.
“MBPP understands that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected many people in various ways, therefore through this initiative, we hope to help those in need.
“The RFI will be open for two weeks, starting from Aug 8 till Aug 21 for all 26 public markets under MBPP,” Yew said in a press conference at the MBPP MakerSpace Balik Pulau hall today.
Balik Pulau public market is one of the first to participate in this initiative.
There are a total of 177 stalls under the market category, 60 stalls under the food complex category and 50 stalls under the bazaar category in Balik Pulau.
On a separate matter, Yew also commented that MBPP is continuing in its efforts to eradicate the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and to stop the spread of chikungunya infections.
The efforts include regular fogging, search and destroy mission and cleaning operations in hotspots.
“According to statistics given by the state Health Department, until Aug 1, a total of 488 and 794 dengue and chikungunya cases were reported in areas under the supervision of MBPP,” Yew added.
Yew also encouraged Penangites to cultivate a habit of Plogclean, a state-level initiative to collect waste materials which is one of the root causes of breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.
Joining MBPP during this morning’s programme were enforcement and licensing department officers from the Seremban City Council (MBS).
After attaining city status in January this year, MBS decided to visit Penang island on a learning mission of MBPP’s strategies and various initiatives for its people.
Also present was MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi