UNDER the Penang People’s Aid Package 2.0, the state government has announced it would give RM300 to Village Community Management Council (MPKK) and Women and Family Development Committee (JPWK) members for their voluntary services in fighting against Covid-19.
The state has set aside RM1.3 million for the 6,050 members.
The MPKK members are among the frontliners who assist the authorities like police and council staff members to ensure protocol is followed at wet markets to curb the spread of the virus.
They also give a hand to their respective assemblymen when it comes to food distribution to the underprivileged.
While the decision to give an incentive to the MPKK and JPWK members was praised by assemblymen and MPKK members, there appears a need to iron out the kinks in the initiative.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng said some MPKK members might have served only a day while others might have served for a longer period of time during the movement control order.
“The allowance is in appreciation of their services. Though it is not a big sum, the MPKK members will feel that the state government still thinks of them,” Ng told Buletin Mutiara when asked to comment on the RM300 incentive.
“There are those who did not come out at all. Some may have come out to serve only once and after that got scolded by their family members. Others may have come out every day to serve and they obviously deserve the incentive.
“I give the mandate to the MPKK chairman to give me the names first. Then, I will discuss with the district office for them to submit the names to the state government. We want to be fair to the MPKK members.”
Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim thanked the state government for appreciating the efforts of the MPKK members.
“Many feared to come out during the lockdown but the MPKK members were brave to help out when needed. We value their contribution.
“In Sungai Pinang, we have seven MPKKs and I am proud of them because every day, they come out to help the society, especially the ‘warga emas’. They take turns, even on Sunday and Labour Day.
Lim, who has bought Vitamin C for the active MPKK members to help boost their immune system, said they are now better known to the residents because of their visitation.
Buletin Mutiara team spoke to several MPKK and JPWK members today for their reaction to the recent announcement of the incentive for them. Below are their views:
Mohd Hafiz Abd Aziz, 58, Bukit Gelugor MPKK chairman
The Penang state government is the best. It shows their appreciation for the MPKK members who risk their health because of the threat posed by Covid-19. The MPKK members play an important role in helping to take care of the situation at the wet markets and distribute provisions to the needy families.
In Bukit Gelugor, the MPKK also has been actively involved in the distribution of vegetables, fish and chicken to the residents in Taman Tun Sardon. Sometimes, they were sponsored by YB Syerleena (Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid) and YB Ramkarpal (Bukit Gelurgor MP Ramkarpal Singh) and other times by NGOs.
Quah Peng Eow, 50, Kampong Kolam MPKK chairman
When we (MPKK members) started to help out from day one of the movement control order on March 18, we never thought of rewards. Of course, we are glad and are appreciative of the RM300 incentive announced by the state government.
Kampong Kolam MPKK is one of the four MPKKs in the Komtar constituency under the care of YB Teh Lai Heng. Our team is not involved in the monitoring of the Chowrasta Market during the MCO because the Penang Island City Council has enough personnel there.
But we’re involved with the unloading of goods and medical items, including face masks and sanitisers, sent by donors to the state government at Komtar. Each time when our team is called upon, we will go out to serve.
Because of our work shown on Facebook, some NGOs contacted us and donated provisions for us to distribute to the needy. One of them was Wah Chai Fund Team and another sponsor was Ban Heang. We have helped to distribute provisions, like rice and biscuits, by the state government to the Kedah Road residents.
Gogeshwariy Ragu, Lengkok Bawah MPKK chairman
The state government’s decision to give RM300 allowance to MPKK members is commendable. Our MPKK is one of the seven MPPKs in Seri Delima constituency and our focus is on the less fortunate residents, like OKUs, single mothers and the elderly who have no sons or daughters to care for them.
During this Ramadan, we help in the delivery of free food to the Muslims for them to break fast and also to the needy.
We have helped the state government to distribute other provisions to the residents here.
Each MPKK consists of 15 members, including the chairman and secretary. But not all go down to the ground during this MCO period.
Hence, I will be glad if they have some form of mechanism to pay out the amount accordingly so that it will be fair to those who work, say for five days, and others who work for 45 days.
So, it’s up to YB (assemblyman) and district office’s approval.
Noryine Abdul Majid, 64, Bayan Lepas JPWK chairman
For me, the Penang People’s Aid Package 2.0 announcement by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow recently is very timely. I am very happy that the state government values our efforts at the grassroots level.
Bayan Lepas JPWK has been very helpful to the needy by distributing food to them and to the sick by visiting them and donating some provisions.
Tan Ee Har, Sungai Emas MPKK secretary
I want to thank the state government for the token of appreciation in giving out RM300 to MPKK members. Something is better than nothing.
During the fight against Covid-19, Sungai Emas MPKK members have participated in helping to give out face masks, sanitisers and food items, including vegetables, fish and chickens, to Batu Ferringhi folks. We went from door to door to distribute them.
We had also helped to distribute about 250 packets of bubur (porridge) to Muslims at a petrol station near Golden Sands Resort. They were sponsored by Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari.
This Wednesday (May 20), Sungai Emas MPKK will help to distribute 30 hampers to Batu Ferringhi residents. They are sponsored by Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai.
See Kean Boon, Bandar Baru Jelutong MPKK treasurer
It’s a pleasant surprise when the state government announced about the incentive for MPKK. Thank you. This is an encouragement for us to keep serving.
In fact, we don’t really bother we get this allowance or not because this is our job.
After learning about the aid package 2.0, our MPKK has decided to take this money to help people who are in need.
Story by K.H. Ong