THE Penang Covid-19 Fund had received a total of RM7,103,595.83 as of Nov 5 this year, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Launched in March last year to assist badly affected families and to revitalise the state’s economy, Chow said the state government had already spent RM2,547,741 on various initiatives, and it now has a balance of RM4,555,854.83.
“The funds received thus far were mainly contributed by various agencies and departments from the Penang government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector and many others,” Chow (PH – Padang Kota) told the State Legislative Assembly sitting at the State Assembly Building in Light Street today.
In response to a question by Dr Afif Bahardin (PN – Seberang Jaya) on how the state government plans to spend the remaining funds, Chow said the state government would continue to assist the needy and vulnerable groups in Penang.
Chow told Dr Afif that the state government has been assisting Penangites to ease their challenging circumstances caused by the Covid crisis since last year, and one way was through the introduction of the ‘Penang People’s Aid Packages’, which were rolled out in various phases.
“The Penang government has spent over RM150 million since last year through the aid packages, and as for the remaining monies left in the Penang Covid-19 Fund, we will continue to assist the needy and vulnerable groups in the state,” Chow told the state assembly while answering the supplementary question posed by Dr Afif.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian