The Penang government has launched its second economic stimulus package of RM76 million to assist the people during these challenging times in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the stimulus package is an addition to the RM75 million aid package that was announced previously, making it a total allocation of RM151 million.

He said the second economic stimulus package under the Penang People’s Aid Package aimed at putting money in the hands of the affected groups, into the market and for targeted industries.

“The second aid package was formulated based on three main objectives.

“Firstly, it is to provide immediate assistance to the most vulnerable group in the state.

“Secondly, it is to empower the working class to get back on their feet and continue to take care of themselves, their families and continue to strengthen Penang’s economy through productivity.

“Thirdly, it is to ensure business continuity in the state so that the economy will continue to progress after the end of movement control order (MCO) period,” Chow told the public via his Facebook Live message yesterday.

According to Chow, there is a total of 20 incentives in the second economic stimulus package that focuses on the rebate of assessment taxes (cukai taksiran) and cash assistance to the frontliners, fishermen, petty hawkers and traders.

The full list of the incentives from the Penang People’s Aid Package 2.0 is as below:

1. Assessment taxes rebate for the year 2020 involving both city councils, namely Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).

2. One-off payment of RM500 to 3,103 hawkers and traders who run businesses in the food complex or shoplots.

3. One-off payment of RM500 to registered traders and hawkers under MBPP and MBSP involving 5,666 of them.

4. One-off payment of RM300 to 6,099 frontliners who are involved in the fight against Covid-19.

5. One-off payment of RM300 to the qualified Village Community Management Council (MPKK) and the Women and Family Development Committee (JPWK) members who served as frontliners involving 6,050 recipients.

6. One-off payment of RM500 to the tour bus / van drivers, car rental (limousine tour) involving 321 recipients.

7. One-off payment of RM300 to the beach activity and watercraft operators in Batu Feringghi involving 39 recipients.

8. RM200,000 allocation to launch ‘Show Penang’ programme, a project to develop the digital content involving arts, culture and heritage sectors.

9. One-off payment of RM500 to the childcare centre (taska) operators who registered under the Social Welfare Department (JKM); and kindergartens (tadika) that registered under the state Education Department involving 645 centres.

10. RM100,000 allocation to the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals who help to tackle the domestic violence issues in the state.

11. One-off payment of RM400 to the Zone A fishermen involving 5,814 recipients.

12. The provision of an insulation box worth RM180 to 250 fishermen (inland and river).

13. Incentives for traditional poultry, ruminant and pig breeders. The incentives will benefit 988 recipients.

14. Special allocation from Pusat Zakat Negeri Pulau Pinang (ZPP) worth up to RM5 million to assist the ‘asnaf’, students and teachers in tahfiz (religious) schools, needy people and others.

15. Exemption of rental rates and leases for Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) and State Secretary Inc (SSI) projects for the month of April and May involving 33 companies.

16. Rental rate discount and rent exemptions for companies / traders / occupants under the management of the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) involving 387 companies, premises and occupants.

17. Rental concessions to 24 commercial lots under the Penang Hill Corporation for half month from January and February and in full for March, April and May. A one-off payment of RM500 to 13 jeep service drivers in Penang Hill.

18. An additional allocation of RM10 million under the Penang Business Continuity Zero-Interest Loan (Skim Peka) specifically for the tourism sector.

19. Exemption of rent payment for the People’s Housing Project tenants and those who rent the Rumah Sewa Kerajaan Negeri (RSKN) for another two months (June and July) involving 2,911 units.

20. Exemption of rent payment for shop units under the management of the state Housing Department for another three months involving 122 units.

Source: Buletin Mutiara