GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has approved a RM20 million financial package to help those affected by the second round of the movement control order (MCO), which started on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the aid is aimed at bringing relief to target groups affected by the reimposition of the MCO.
“Yesterday, the Penang state executive council approved the RM20 million financial assistance package, on top of last year’s RM151 million aid to businesses, organisations and individuals affected by the pandemic,” he said in a statement, yesterday.
Chow said the details of the RM20 million financial aid would be announced later. He urged the people and business community to comply with all the standard operating procedures stipulated to flatten the Covid-19 curve in the state, Bernama reported.
“According to statistics from the Penang Health Department, out of the 5,479 cumulative cases up to Jan 13, a total of 3,246 (59%) were locals while 2,233 (41%) were non-citizens.”
Penang state executive councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Yeoh Soon Hin said he will table a proposal for an extension of the six-month moratorium for repayment of the Penang Business Continuity Zero Interest Loan or Skim Peka 2.0.
Yeoh said the tourism industry was greatly affected by the MCO as well as the restriction imposed on inter-state travel.
“I hope to see successful applicants of Skim Peka 2.0 be given a six-month extension before they begin their repayment.”
