GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today announced a one-off financial assistance of between RM200 and RM500 for several target groups and RM30,000 special allocation for all state constituencies, costing the state RM10,879,100.
Chow said the figure was part of the Financial Package 3.0 worth RM20 million announced last Thursday to mitigate economic challenges posed by the ongoing Movement Control Order (MCO) 2.0.
He said a one-off RM500 financial assistance would be given to licenced traders and hawkers, those conducting businesses at food complexes and shop lots, those with tagging and registered with the local authorities and those trading at farmers' markets (Fama's pasar tani).
He added that some 14,712 traders and hawkers stand to benefit from this one-off financial assistance, which will cost the state RM7,356,000.
Chow also said a one-off RM200 financial assistance would be given to some 288 trishaw riders, at a cost of RM57,600.
"We are giving a one-off RM500 financial assistance to some 462 registered school canteen operators, costing the state RM231,000.
"Similarly, we are also giving a one-off RM500 financial assistance to barbershop and hair salon operators, beauty centre and spa operators, reflexology centre and cupping operators, totalling 2,929 licensed businesses registered with the local authorities, at a cost of RM1,464,500.00.
"We understand the hardship these people are going through. We hope that with the one-off financial assistance, it can help smoothen their cash flow and reduce the impact as well as operational costs during the MCO," he said today.
Chow said the RM30,000 special allocation for all state constituencies would be given to 59 assemblymen and members of parliament, "adopted state constituencies" as well as state and parliamentary constituency coordinators.
"This is to enable them to provide speedy and necessary assistance to people in their areas affected by the MCO 2.0. This will cost the state RM1,770,000.00," he added.
The Financial Package is aimed at bringing relief to target groups affected by the re-imposition of the MCO.
Last year, the state government rolled out RM151 million for its Financial Packages 1.0 and 2.0 to assist tens of thousands of affected people, businesses and organisations.