CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow has given an assurance to the people of Penang that the ‘state government never sleeps’ during the Covid-19 crisis.
He said the state is now preparing for a new ‘next normal’ situation as the movement control order (MCO) enters its 43rd day, which is the start of the fourth phase and runs until May 12.
“We will continue to serve you and ensure the health and safety of the people of Penang as well as the resilience of the economy,” Chow said during a live broadcast on his Facebook page from his office in Komtar today.
“The state executive council is ready for a paradigm shift to implement policy changes or programmes to address new situations due to the pandemic.”
He underlined the importance of the whole-of-government approach to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Besides the efforts by the state Security Special Committee to coordinate the fight against the disease, Chow said the state exco also played key roles in their respective portfolios.
He revealed that a total of 2,571 companies have applied for loans from the state government through Penang Development Corporation (PDC) when the applications closed on April 21.
The state government has allocated RM30 million under the Penang Business Continuity Zero-Interest Loan (Skim Peka) to help small and medium industry (SMI) and small and medium enterprises (SME) players hit by the pandemic.
The SMI companies in the manufacturing sector can apply zero-interest loan up to RM50,000 while the SMEs can apply for zero-interest loan up to RM20,000.
This loan scheme falls under the portfolio of Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, who is in charge of the International & Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneurial Development Committee.
He is teaming up with PDC to process the applications and successful applicants will be notified within a week.
In addition, through the cooperation between Penang Halal International, a subsidiary of PDC, and foodpanda, Abdul Halim’s office has also launched an online Ramadan eBazaar platform to ensure traders can continue to generate income during Ramadan.
Chow also commented on other exco portfolios. They are:
• Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman (Penang Islamic Religious Council chairman)
Has ensured that not only Islamic affairs such as zakat is distributed to the needy but also cooperated with the Penang Mufti Department in making it possible to produce videos of worship services for Muslims during Ramadan. These videos can be viewed at the website www.PenangLawanCovid19.com.
• Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy (state Economic Planning, Education, Human Resources and Science, Technology & Innovation)
As Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman, he has mobilised the resources of the organisation to help the needy in the Indian community who are directly affected by the MCO and the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Chong Eng (Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs)
Has announced an allocation of RM100,000 to non-government organisations (NGOs) and individuals who assist the Penang community in addressing increasing domestic violence issues.
Her office has also started discussions with non-Muslim religious leaders to adapt their practices and cultures to address the next normal situation.
• Jagdeep Singh Deo (Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning)
Has been leading the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) in ensuring business premises and factories comply with MCO rules. Furthermore, MBPP and MBSP have been encouraging and helping hawkers and small traders to join JomBeliOnline (JBO) and e-Bazar Ramadan to continue doing their business via online platforms respectively during the MCO.
• Phee Boon Poh (Welfare, Caring Society and Environment)
Has effectively mobilised a food supply distribution system. To date, about 20,000 Covid-19 Penang food boxes have been distributed through state elected representatives. At the same time, has worked with Tzu Chi to relocate the homeless to a safer location during the MCO.
• Zairil Khir Johari (Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation)
Has made sure that important sectors such as water supply and mitigation works like road repairs, strengthening of hillslopes, utility works and public utilities are still being carried out so that the lives of Penangites are not disrupted.
• Yeoh Soon Hin (Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage)
Has announced a RM200,000 project to develop the country’s first arts, culture and heritage digital content. In addition, a virtual roundtable conference was held on April 25 involving stakeholders in the state tourism industry to get feedback on the issues affecting them.
• Soon Lip Chee (Youth and Sports)
Has encouraged the public to continue be active in sports at home during the MCO. Has also organised a stay-at-home e-Sports competition, which has attracted 640 participants, to sharpen their talents. At the same time, the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) and the Penang State Sports Council have also organised video interviews and sharing sessions with youth leaders and state athletes.
• Dr Norlela Ariffin (Agriculture, Agro-based Industries, Rural Development and Health)
Although still new in her appointment, she takes notes of equipment needs by the state’s health frontliners. Has also collected agricultural produce by farmers in the state and distributed them to the city council workers.
Chow, who attended the National Security Council meeting in Putrajaya yesterday, also shared some of the main points raised by the Health Ministry (MOH).
He said the green zones nationwide have increased to nearly 80% of all districts.
On whether the country is prepared to call off the MCO, Chow said according to ministry’s analysis, the answer is yes.
However, the MOH said the country still needs a ‘Covid-19 District Risk Reduction Programme, in which they need to defend the green zones and fight the yellow and red zones.
For that, a strategy involving four main principles have been drawn up. They are on border controls, movement controls, social distancing and personal protection equipment.
The strategy will focus on three key areas such as family protection, community protection and district protection which is the responsibility of the local authority.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis