Great news for trishaw peddlers in Penang.
The Penang State Government has doubled its assistance from RM100 to RM200 effective June 2021 to December 2021.
In announcing the package, Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, Yeoh Soon Hin said that since tourism activities have been halted, the assistance will offer timely relief.
“As the Penang State Government hastens its plans to achieve herd immunity against Covid-19, we are also reaching out to the state’s iconic trishaw peddlers to ensure that no one is left behind in the vaccination rollout.
“This initiative is part of the Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for the Sustainability of Tourism Industry (PIKIP), which is awaiting approval and vaccine supply from the Federal Government.
“My office is engaging the trishaw peddlers to facilitate their vaccination registration and to explain the importance of getting jabbed. We understand that not everyone has the privilege and access to gadgets and information, especially vulnerable communities,” said Yeoh in a press statement.
Yeoh added that the majority of these peddlers are senior citizens who are not technologically-savvy and may not necessarily have a MySejahtera profile, which may lead to their delayed vaccination.
“These trishaw riders are one of Penang’s tourism icons that have contributed to our vibrant tourism landscape. They remain of paramount importance to the State Government and we will do our best to look after their welfare.
“In fact, we have channeled numerous aid packages in view of the tourism setback ever since the pandemic outbreak in 2020. The financial assistance provided under the People’s Aid Package include a three-month advanced allowance payout, and two times of RM200 “one-off” subsidy,” he added.
Yeoh also added that they have worked with numerous entities such as Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Penang’s oldest heritage biscuit and sesame oil brand, Ghee Hiang to disburse essentials such as food, face masks and hand sanitisers.
“We acknowledge that even basic necessities such as food is a growing concern to these peddlers. Hence, we have also delivered multiple rounds of food ordered via different hotels to mutually assist Penang’s trishaw community and hoteliers,” he added.
Yeoh said that a slew of other initiatives were also launched to rejuvenate and rebrand the image of trishaw riders, aimed at re-igniting mass interest towards these peddlers to ensure a sustainable growth in the industry.
He also welcomed organisations and individuals who are interested to contribute to Penang’s trishaw peddlers to write to [email protected].