CORONAVIRUS | Penang Legislative Assembly Speaker Law Choo Kiang is leading the way in donating one month's salary to the state Covid-19 fund.
Law (above), a former PKR Bukit Tambun assemblyperson, said there were no specific reasons for him to contribute to the fund but hopes his contribution would be meaningful to fight the pandemic.
"I just want to contribute to the Penang Covid-19 Fund to show my support for their noble efforts to fight the pandemic," Law told Malaysiakini.
"I am very confident that the Penang government can minimise the impact of the pandemic and movement control order, and overcome these hard times very soon," he added.
"Everyone can play their roles, to follow the MCO and staying at home is the least we can contribute," stressed the state PKR advisor.
"We are so grateful that so many NGOs and individuals in Penang have extended their help to those in need."
Meanwhile, state Opposition leader Muhamad Yusof Mohd Noor (BN-Sungai Dua) and Penang backbenchers chief Teh Lai Heng (DAP-Komtar) announced that all state representatives will donate 30 percent of their salaries to the fund.
They said the 29 assemblypersons (including three opposition members) have agreed to donate to the fund, which was announced by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (below) at the end of March.
The initiative follows Chow's announcement of Penang's Special Aid Package of RM75 million to combat the pandemic during the MCO which has entered its 18th day.
"This is an initiative by the state representatives after the 11 state executive councillors (including Chow) agreed to donate their salaries to the fund on March 27," the duo's statement said.
They thanked Chow for giving all assemblypersons an RM30,000 allocation under Penang's People Special Aid Package to deal with the MCO which will end on April 14.
The state representatives also expressed gratitude to Chow for providing them with free face masks and other essential items for the community in each constituency.
Chow also provided face masks to the media community last week.
"We hope with our humble donations, the state would be able to enhance its activities to combat the spread of Covid-19," the statement added.
Meanwhile, on top of donating 30 percent of his salary to the state fund, PKR Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Jason Ong Khan Lee has donated another RM5,000 to his constituency fund.
While grateful for the RM30,000, Ong said it is not sufficient to last another 14 days of the second MCO phase.
"Our daily expenses are already about RM3,000, while I have spent RM4,600 for the Mount Erskine Voluntary Fire Fighters team to do the disinfection work recently around Kebun Bunga and its surrounding areas," he said.
"I will also be spending RM4,000 for the disinfection chamber at the Rifle Range Market," he added. - Mkini
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