THE Penang government will be working closely with the private sector to ensure that there are still job opportunities for the people to seek a livelihood when the movement control order (MCO) is lifted.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, in his daily address to the public via Facebook Live on his Facebook page, said the state is aware of the difficulties faced by the people as the state and nation battle the spread of Covid-19.
He added that his office had also contacted the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang branch and the various chambers of commerce in the state to get their feedback on how the state government and the private sector could work together to rebuild the economy of Penang.
“For the lower income group, life is getting tougher,” Chow said in his speech at his office in Komtar today.
“For those of you who are salary earners, you are worried for your jobs once this is over.
“For those of you who work for yourselves or daily wage earners, you have been through 13 days of no income.
“Even business owners, especially those of you who run micro businesses as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are not spared.
“Your shops and offices have ceased operations but the rent of your business premises still continue, the salaries of your workers are still being paid, your stockpiled goods are not sold and if the economy doesn’t recover after this, your businesses may have to be closed down.
“I understand your worries.”
The state government recently increased the Penang People’s Aid Package from RM20 million to RM75 million to lighten the burden of vulnerable groups.
Out of this, RM30 million has been allocated for the Penang Business Continuity Zero Interest Loan to enable micro business and SME owners to apply for “revolving model” during this difficult time.
“This loan is not only interest free but the borrower is only required to repay after six months of obtaining the loan amount,” Chow explained.
“Furthermore, I will also bring up the issue of the difficulties now faced by employers in the SMEs during the special session of the National Security Council: Covid-19 Management, which will be chaired by the Prime Minister tomorrow (March 31) at noon.”
Chow thanked Hotayi Electronic (M) Sdn Bhd and the Taipei Investors’ Association in Malaysia for donating RM200,000 and RM100,000 respectively towards the Penang Covid-19 Fund today.
Datuk Lee Hung Lung, who is the chief executive officer of Hotayi and the president of the Taipei Investors’ Association in Malaysia, said they were glad to contribute to the fund in this challenging time.
“We’re in the manufacturing sector and have been in Malaysia for more than 30 years. Of course, we are also facing difficulties since we have to stop productions.
“Even though most of the factories are affected, we want to do our part for Malaysia.
“We want to wish Malaysia safe and help to fight the spread of Covid-19.
“We hope that more firms will come forward to help the people go through this difficult time,” Lee said.
Lee was accompanied by Hotayi managing director Goh Guek Eng, and Taipei Investors’ Association in Malaysia members William Wu (China Airlines general manager Penang branch), Hsu Shang Chih (LIH MEI Industrial CEO), Howell Chen Chung (Greatstate Assets director), Cheng Mei Man (Mei Hotel, Fuda Realty Pte Ltd and Mei Man Realty director) and Steve Peng (Elevma Elevators, Askey Media Technology and Farglory Land Development).
Also present was State Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang.
Kwong Wah Yit Poh, a Malaysian Chinese daily, stepped forward to donate RM500,000 on March 27.
The fund was set up on March 26 after Chow has received many offers from the private sector to further help the less fortunate.
Donations can be made to Maybank 557054620930 or Maybank Komtar.
Chow said despite not having huge resources, the state government would make sure the distribution of financial aid would reach those who need them.
He said the aid at this moment might be insufficient, though.
The aid package is aimed at a total of 15 target groups and will directly benefit more than 400,000 people.
The vulnerable groups include hawkers, petty traders, taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers, trishaw riders, the disabled, the low-income group (B40), tour guides and Social Welfare Department recipients.
Chow said the financial aid would be channelled in by next month to all recipients.
On top of that, the state government is waiving the rent of business premises belonging to them and the city councils for one month.
“Most of them who rent these premises are small traders. They need not pay rent for the month of April. I hope owners of private business premises in Penang will also do the same for their tenants,” Chow added.
Asked by the media whether Penang would follow Negri Sembilan and Melaka in not allowing Ramadan bazaar this year, Chow said both the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) have so far not issued any Ramadan bazaar licence.
He said the decision is subject to the direction of the National Security Council.
Asked where the cluster of Penang positive cases came from, Chow replied that according to the Penang Health Department, the majority of the cases were from the Seri Petaling cluster.
Chow said today he had chaired a state Security Council (JKKN) meeting and they have decided on several initiatives to be carried out during phase two of the MCO which had been extended to April 14.
During the meeting, the state police chief Comm Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan said that the compliance rate of the MCO had now reached 95% as of yesterday (29 March 2020).
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix and video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi