THE Penang government today is delighted with the compliance rate reported by both city councils since the movement control order (MCO) started from March 18.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said he was glad that the rates of 98.9% and 98.85% were achieved on the island and mainland respectively.
“It is our hope that the rate will keep on increasing until 100% to prevent any new infection of cases in the state.
“I hope the Penangites will keep on adhering to the MCO in order to tackle the virus outbreak,” he told a press conference in Komtar today.
The two local councils, together with the help of the police, army, Rela, Civil Defence Department, Village Community Management Councils, have been stepping up their enforcement.
The Penang government had on March 25 showed its commitment to the people by announcing a RM75 million aid package to assist the frontliners and low-income earners.
Jagdeep said six of the incentives under the stimulus package come under his portfolio.
The six incentives are a RM500 one-off payment to small traders and licenced hawkers; RM300 incentive to the frontliners; procurement of supply of personal safety equipment; exemption of monthly rental for People’s Housing Project (PPR) and government rental unit; exemption of rental of premises under state government and local authorities and delay payment of rental instalment to state.
Elaborating on this, Jagdeep announced that a total of 4,991 of Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) frontliners had received RM300 one-off payment on April 1, totalling RM1,497,300.
Besides that, Jagdeep said a total of 6,000 face masks, 530 bottles of sanitiser and 35 thermometers were supplied to MBSP while 9,000 face masks, 500 bottles of sanitiser and 35 thermometers were given to MBPP.
He said a total amount of RM6,983,500 has been allocated for 13,967 traders and hawkers in the state.
“A one-off of RM500 payment will be given to 4,158 traders and hawkers on island today while the remaining 2,799 will get theirs before April 15.
“Over at the mainland, the RM500 amount will be given to 791 traders and hawkers today while the remaining 6,219 will be paid in stages. Both local councils have assured that the payment will be settled within three days after receiving relevant documents from the traders and hawkers,” he said.
Those licenced traders and hawkers on island can check their eligibility through www.mbpp.gov.my while those on mainland can do so through www.mbsp.gov.my.
On the exemption of two-month rental to the 4,869 units of PPR and government rental units, Jagdeep said it applies for April and May. That would cost the state RM932,844.
On the one-month exemption of rental for business premises under state and local authorities, Jagdeep added that a total of 10,999 premises were involved.
He said a total of 10,552 traders and hawkers in the state were exempted from paying.
Meanwhile, Jagdeep added a total of 541 tenants (under Rent to Own housing schemes) would benefit from the three months’ rental exemption, starting this month until June.
“Tenants for all the housing schemes are also exempted from paying quit rent for three months, starting from May 31 until Aug 30,” he said.
Also present were Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix courtesy of YB Jagdeep’s office