GEORGE TOWN: The state government today rolled out the RM76 million Peka Penang 2.0 aid package to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang has so far rolled out RM151 million under Peka Penang. Peka Penang 1.0, which involved RM75million, was rolled out on March 25.
The latest package was approved by the state executive councillors at the weekly state executive council meeting today.
"We aim to put money into the hands of the vulnarable and affected groups, the market and targetted industries," he said in his daily address aired live over his official Facebook page.
Peka Penang 2.0 comprises three main objectives and 20 initiatives.It is set to benefit various segments of society, particularly those who may have been left out in the first phase.
Among the initiatives include a rebate in the 2020 assessment tax for more than 600,000 properties under the jurisdiction of the Penang Island and Seberang Prai City Councils at a cost of RM47.31 million
He said a RM500 one-off aid would also be given to some 3,103 hawkers trading inside hawker complexes or shoplots belonging to both local councils at a cost of RM1.55 million while the same amount would also be given to 5,666 hawkers with tagging and registered with both councils at a sum of RM2.83 million.
"As for frontline workers, a RM300 one-off aid will be given to those who were left out under Peka Penang 1.0, involving some 6,050 uniformed personnel, at a cost of RM1.81 million.
"Realising the importance of the tourism industry and how it has been greatly impacted, we will also give a RM500 one-off aid to bus and van drivers, rental car and limousine drivers as well as water craft operators in Batu Ferrringhi.
"At the same time, we have also set aside RM200,000 to develop the 'Show Penang', a project to develop digital content in the arts, culture and heritage sector, the first of its kind," he added.
Chow also said that a RM500 would be given to some 645 kindergarten and childcare centres registered with the Welfare Department and kindergartens registered with the Education Department at a cost of RM322,500.
He said RM100,000 has also been set aside for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals helping to address the issue of domestic violence throughout the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Chow said that the state executive councillors also approved the opening of offices for religious places and schools for administrative and maintenance purposes beginning Friday.
"Both local councils will announce the operating hours as well as the types of businesses allowed to operate on May 8, when Penang implements its gradual Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO)," he said.