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How Penang has stayed one step ahead of the Covid-19 pandemic
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Penang has stayed on top of things, even when a second wave of Covid-19 infections struck, by laying out a strategic plan to contain the spread of the virus BERNAMA pic |
By Mohamed Basyir
March 30, 2020 @ 5:53pm
GEORGE TOWN: Penang has stayed on top of things, even when a second wave of Covid-19 infections struck, by laying out a strategic plan to contain the spread of the virus.
Even before the federal government announced Movement Control Order (MCO), Penang had already launched the "Penang Lawan Covid-19" campaign; while a state level task force was being set up to coordinate efforts between departments.
“The plan was to contain, be transparent and inform, and also mitigate," Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told The New Straits Times.
“With five new cases confirmed in Penang on March 13, the state government moved quickly to cancel all state-organised public events."
Both the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) set up their own task forces and deployed 4,700 workers to the ground for cleaning and disinfection works.
Once the MCO was launched, they worked together with other government agencies to enforce regulations.
With the safety of frontliners made a priority, the state government ensured the public that the hospitals in the state are equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE), beds, gloves and sanitisers.
The RM10 million given to the state by the federal government has been channelled to equip frontliners with necessary tools and items.
Penang also took the initiative to be transparent on cases reported in the state, with Chow himself addressing the people live through social media daily.
Penang opted for Facebook and Telegram, while also having a dedicated website, to update the public on statistics and information pertaining to the virus, with a clear presentation method using charts and graphs.
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Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow NSTP/DANIAL SAAD |
About 150 billboards were erected and posters distributed all over the state to provide public awareness messages.
Through the Penang Lawan Covid-19 campaign, several videos were produced in four main languages – Bahasa Melayu, English, Hokkien and Tamil – to educate the public.
“We believe Penang is the first and only state with a dedicated platform to inform the people about the novel virus."
“Only with facts and information can Penang fight the pandemic effectively," he added.
Penang also anticipated the economic hit from the worsening pandemic.
Chow recently announced the RM75 million Covid-19 economic stimulus package, which will benefit 410,000 recipients.
The stimulus package, which targets the poor and most vulnerable communities, covers hawkers, small business owners, taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers, and the B40 group.
Amongst the initiatives is one-off RM500 aid to small traders and licensed hawkers, benefiting 14,012 people; two-month rent exemptions to housing scheme and People's Housing Projects (PPR) under state government for 1,816 units; and one month exemption for business premises rented under the local government and state government.
The Penang Covid-19 Fund was also launched to allow the private sector rebuild Penang’s economy and society, with Chow and other executive councillors agreeing to take a one-month pay cut, which will go towards the fund.
“The state has also initiated a food distribution programme to ensure no one will go hungry in Penang."
“The state government and law enforcement authorities will ensure that the supply of food will not be cut off, and again, I emphasise that we seek the cooperation of all Penangites to ensure this victory," said Chow.
Mid-way into the 28-day MCO, Penang recorded 87 cases of Covid-19 as of yesterday, with 46 successfully treated and discharged, and also one death.
KT just can't bring himself to say it......the foundation and groundwork for an efficient and effective Penang state and municipal government was done by Guanee, who was CM for 10 years (2008-2018).
ReplyDeleteChow is continuing the good work.
Guanee the provisional accountant and book-keeper settled all state hutangs and ensured the state coffers is healthy, enough money, don't have to depend on Local Government Minister Zuraidah. Kudos to Guanee.
KT puts up picture after and picture of Chow, put-lah, one of Guanee.
Go on KT, say it, no shame you know, your gonads might shrink a little but no shame....really...it might even be therapeutic....ha ha ha..
No lah...don't plead for a pciture of LGE...for sure this hater will re produce THAT one and only, among the thousands. You all know WHICH one, wakakaka, any which way, even if in this trivial, bitchy, petty manner, to endlessly let out his psychotic hatred. Urge him instead, to post the latest picture of his beloved ChiefPirate, you know, the one with a ballooned up mug, so beefy now with that double chin bursting out of the tight collar, he he he he.
DeleteGo on KT, say it, Guanee did a great job building up the state coffers to be able to afford doing this, without having to rely on Putrajaya.
ReplyDeleteSee what a provisional accountant and book-keeper can do in 10 years as CM. Chow is now continuing the good work.
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Penang exco: All city council frontliners to receive one-off RM300 allowance tomorrow
Tuesday, 31 Mar 2020
BY OPALYN MOK
GEORGE TOWN, March 31 — The state government’s one-off RM300 payment to frontliners will be paid out to all 4,991 city council frontline workers tomorrow, state exco Jagdeep Singh Deo said.
The housing, local government and town and country planning committee chairman said the one-off incentive will be banked into each worker’s account without any delay.
“I have spoken to both mayors and the the state financial officer to ensure the one-off payment to frontliners are made without any delay. There will be no inconvenience,” he said in a press conference with both city council mayors and about 100 city council workers who were set to go about their duties as usual.
Jagdeep said the city council workers have continued to keep the streets of Penang clean and assisted enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) throughout this period.
“This is to show our gratitude to the frontline workers for all that they’ve done,” he said before thanking the workers for their dedication.
As for the one-off RM500 payment to licensed hawkers and traders, he said about 5,000 of these traders are registered with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the city council has their account information.
“There are about 2,000 more whose accounts are not registered with the MBPP so they will need to contact the MBPP to register their account numbers to get the payment,” he said.
On the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) side, Jagdeep said the city council is in the midst of setting up a portal for all licensed hawkers and traders on the mainland.
“The portal will be online tomorrow and all licensed hawkers and traders can register their accounts on the portal to get the one-off payment,” he said.
The one-off payments to frontliners and hawkers are part of the state government’s RM75 million aid package to help those affected by the MCO.
The one-off payment to frontliners also includes those in other government agencies and departments such as the police, Armed Forces, Civil Defence and RELA personnel.
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