The Penang government has paid their staff a bonus equivalent to 0.75 of their monthly salary or RM1,000 (whichever is higher) as a token of appreciation for their contributions to the "smooth running" of the state.

Dubbed the "2017 special financial aid", a portion (0.5 percent) was paid out on June 20 to those without any disciplinary records.

The balance (0.25 percent) would be paid out to those that have shown "satisfactory performance", which covered those who had not taken more than one-day sick leave.