State reps take proactive measures to help others

GEORGE TOWN: Two members of the Penang state legislative assembly and an MP have begun providing food and other daily necessities to their constituents while another assemblyman has been doing rounds in his constituency spraying disinfectant in places where crowds usually gather.

Dr Norlela Ariffin, who is Penanti assemblyman and executive councillor, is working with Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar to deliver food to the needy.

Norlela said she and Nurul had been building up a food bank since last year.

“We now have about 1,200 tonnes of food packed and ready for distribution to those in the lower-income and middle-income groups (B40 and M40), the disabled and senior citizens,” she told theSun.

Seri Delima state assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid said she had been providing grocery items to the needy in her constituency.

“We have given out these items to 70 households since the movement control order (MCO) was enforced,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kebun Bungah assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee had been leading a team of volunteers to disinfect crowded areas in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

Yesterday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced the state government would allocate up to RM75 million under an initiative to rejuvenate the economy.

Under the plan, one off-payments of

RM500 each will be given to various groups of people, such as hawkers, petty traders, taxi drivers, trishaw peddlers, e-hailing drivers, the disabled and those in the low-income, or B40 group.

The 40 state assemblymen will be provided RM30,000 each to finance relief efforts for their constituencies affected by the MCO.

– by Ian McIntyre