Penang helps traders to overcome MCO, hopes private sector will follow suit
CORONAVIRUS | Rentals for business premises belonging to the Penang government and its two city councils have been waived for one month to overcome the hardship faced by traders due to the movement control order (MCO).
This is part of the RM75 million relief package announced by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on March 25 to combat the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
"Most of them who rent these premises are small traders. They need not pay rent for the month of April...
CORONAVIRUS | Rentals for business premises belonging to the Penang government and its two city councils have been waived for one month to overcome the hardship faced by traders due to the movement control order (MCO).
This is part of the RM75 million relief package announced by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (above) on March 25 to combat the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
"Most of them who rent these premises are small traders. They need not pay rent for the month of April.
"I hope owners of private business premises in Penang will also do the same for your tenants," said Chow during his Facebook Live press conference today.
Chow also announced the Penang Business Continuity Zero Interest Loan, in which RM30 million have been allocated to enable micro business and SME owners to apply for “revolving model” during this difficult time.
"This loan is not only interest-free but the borrower is only required to repay after six months of obtaining the loan amount," he explained.
Chow's office had contacted the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang branch and the various chambers of commerce in the state to get their feedback on how the state government and the private sector can work together to rebuild the economy of Penang.
"Furthermore, I will also bring up the issue of the difficulties now facing the employers in the SMEs.
"I will raise this during the special session of the National Security Council: Covid-19 Management which will be chaired by the prime minister tomorrow (March 31) at 12pm," Chow said.
Since the MCO was imposed on March 18, 2,470 cases confirmed positive, 2,047 are under treatment, 35 deaths and 388 died.
Meanwhile, at the State Security Council (JKKN) meeting chaired by Chow this morning, the council has decided on several initiatives which will be carried out during phase two of the MCO which had been extended to April 14.
"During the meeting, state chief police officer informed me that the compliance rate of the MCO had now reached 95 percent as of yesterday (March 29)."
Chow has warned of sterner action if the MCO is not complied with, announcing yesterday that 158 people were arrested for violating the order, while a market in Relau was also shut down.
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