Penang govt channels aid to alleviate financial burden of Penangites

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THE Penang government has started disbursing aid under the Penang People’s Aid Package today (April 1).

 

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said some 4,700 frontline workers from Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) would be receiving RM300 each.

 

The state government also did not leave out the frontline workers who are working with the Federal Government agencies.

 

“The allocations have been channelled to the relevant Federal departments. The departments will be managing and disbursing the payment to their staff.

 

“The state’s AES (Agenda Ekonomi Saksama) programme recipients, totalling 551 people, will be receiving RM500 in their respective bank accounts.

 

“We hope to channel the aid to the recipients under the Penang Welfare Department in a day or two,” Chow told the public via Facebook Live on his Facebook page today.

 

Chow said that registered taxi drivers would be receiving RM500, while RM300 would be given to e-hailing drivers.

 

“Those who are renting the state government and People’s Housing Project (PPR) public housing schemes, or business premises rented under the local government and state government, do not need to pay their rent this month (April).

 

“Payment for the state’s rent-purchase schemes, Skim Pinjaman Harapan, Tabung Usahawan Tani and the Pinjaman Penuntut is given a three-month moratorium starting this month (April).

 

“The Penang government has also channelled RM30,000 of emergency relief fund to each state elected representative in Penang. The fund must be used to help those in need,” he said.

 

Chow speaking to the public via Facebook Live.

 

The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) has also worked on several initiatives to ease the financial burden of its customers.

 

“Those who have signed the purchase agreement to buy land, industrial land and industrial buildings can postpone their payment until June 30.

 

“The validation period for the acceptance of offer (for sales and rentals of industrial, non-industrial land and buildings) has also been extended to June 30.

 

“Tenants who are renting at several PDC projects in Penang are given a month of rent exemption,” Chow said.

 

They are the tenants of booths in Bukit Tengah (24 units), booths and kiosks in Komtar, Batu Kawan Stadium, and the multi-storey carpark of Penang Hill and Lorong Kulit.

 

“Small and medium local entrepreneurs, as well as tenants for the commercial units at The One Bayan Baru, business premises in Burmah Road, Burmah Square and the Kedah Road Complex can postpone their rent payment for the month of April.

 

“The rent payment (for the month of April) can be paid on a regular basis within a period of six months. It must be paid in full within this year.

 

“PDC has also waived the two months’ rent payment (April and May) for resettlement housing and cluster homes in Cecil Street, Weld Quay and Taman Crescentia in Batu Kawan.

 

“The corporation has also waived the land rent payment (for the month of April) for Persatuan Kebajikan Anak Muda Balik Pulau for its food truck,” he said.

 

PDC was also preparing the application procedure for the Penang Business Continuity Zero-Interest Loan.

 

In his speech, Chow thanked PDC for its RM1 million contribution towards the Penang Covid-19 Fund to help the needy.

 

Chow also answered several questions from the press.

 

“For now, the Penang government will not be reviewing the state Budget for this year.

 

“In addition to that, the RM75 million Penang People’s Aid Package does not need the approval from the Penang Legislature Assembly as the aid stated in the package can be paid using the existing allocation.

 

“The state executive council (exco) has not decided whether to allow Ramadan bazaars to operate in Penang. We will monitor the situation before a decision is made.

 

“Both local councils (MBPP and MBSP) have not issued any operating license for Ramadan bazaars in Penang,” he said.

 

Chow also said that the Penang government would abide by the Federal Government’s decision to immediately quarantine Malaysians who return to the country from abroad for 14 days.

 

“We are told by the state Health Department that it is still awaiting further instructions from the National Security Council,” he said.

 

Chow reiterated that the public could refer to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to know more about the guidelines and information pertaining to factories that could operate during the movement control order (MCO).

 

The Penang government also offered its condolences to the family members of civil society activist Martin Khor. Khor, who had been battling cancer for the past few years, passed away today (April 1).

 

 

Story by Christopher Tan

Pix by Alvie Cheng

Video by Darwina Mohd Daud