THE Penang government has announced an additional RM4.5 million as its economic stimulus package to assist six other groups of people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The aid package, known as Penang People’s Aid Package 2.1, brings the total allocation of aid for the people of Penang to RM155.5 million in five months!
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had announced a RM75 million allocation for the first aid package on March 25 and a RM76 million allocation for the second aid package on May 6 this year following the imposition of the movement control order (MCO) since March 18.
“The state government is pleased to announce an additional aid of RM4.5 million to six target groups to help them reduce their operating costs during this period of economic recovery due to the MCO,” Chow told a press conference at Komtar today.
Before this, Chow said incentives were given to other groups such as fishermen, breeders, hawkers, small-time traders, taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers, the disabled, tour guides, frontliners, tour bus and van drivers, watercraft operators, and childcare centre operators.
The six target groups under the Penang People’s Aid Package 2.1 involve farmers, school canteen operators, event management companies, non-Muslim houses of worship, NGOs or active associations, and book and newspaper vendors.
The incentives are as follows:
1. Each farmer registered with the Agriculture Department will be given RM400 worth of agriculture input such as enriched organic fertilizers or crop seeds.
This aid will be given to 1,142 farmers who are registered with the Agriculture Department and the total aid is RM456,800.
2. A one-off RM500 special financial aid for 439 school canteen operators registered in Penang. The total aid is RM219,500.
The state government will work with the state Education Department and Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department to facilitate the distribution of the incentives.
3. A one-off RM500 special financial aid to each registered event management company in Penang.
A total sum of RM50,000 is allocated for this purpose as it involves an estimated 100 event management companies.
4. A one-off RM1,000 special financial aid to non-Muslim houses of worship.
This aid will be given to a total of 1,771 registered non-Muslim houses of worship. The total sum is RM1,771,000.
In earlier packages, the state government, through the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP), had disbursed a one-off aid of RM1,000 to each mosque and a one-off RM500 aid to each surau.
5. A one-off RM500 special financial aid to active and registered bodies or associations in Penang.
This aid will be given to 3,996 such organisations registered with the Registrar of Societies. The total amount of aid is RM1,998,000.
6. A one-off RM500 special financial aid to 150 book and newspaper vendors in Penang.
The total amount of aid is RM75,000.
Chow said all applicants for this financial aid package can start applying for the incentives from Aug 28 (Friday) through the Penang state government portal, www.penang.gov.my
Chow said when the state government provided the first two aid packages, there were three main objectives.
Firstly, it was to provide immediate assistance to the most vulnerable group affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Secondly, it was to empower the working class to get back on their feet and continue their efforts to take care of themselves, their families and continue to strengthen the Penang’s economy through productivity.
Thirdly, it was to ensure business continuity in the state so that the economy would continue to progress after the end of the MCO.
Also present at the press conference were state executive councillors Chong Eng, Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Yeoh Soon Hin, Soon Lip Chee and Dr Norlela Ariffin.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Chan Kok Kuan