GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government welcomes the recently-announced Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) to stimulate the economy in the wake of a downturn brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow feels that it is also critical that all businesses be allowed to resume their operations.
"There is a limit for the government to offer financial incentives (as announced).
"Another way around is to allow them to reopen their businesses and lessen the impact (of the coronavirus)," he said today.
Chow was speaking to the press during a visit to Taman Belia on the first day of the reopening of public parks here today.
On Friday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the RM35 billion Penjana plan to revive the economy, for the benefit of businesses as well as individual consumers.
Penjana is in Stage 4 of Malaysia's Covid-19 recovery process and focuses on short-term initiatives to stimulate the economy.
When asked about the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), Chow said Penang will wait for Putrajaya's announcement on whether it will be extended or lifted altogether.
He reiterated that the CMCO should be extended "a little more," but with plans in place for the resumption of activities of economic sectors still forbidden from operating.
The state government has already directed all agencies to get ready for the possibility of the reopening of all sectors.
"I was informed that the federal government will categorise all activities into three – open without condition, open with conditions, and not allowed to open.
"We will wait for the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)," Chow added.