JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor government today announced several incentives through the ‘Inisiatif Ihsan Johor’ to alleviate the economic implications faced by many due to the Covid-19 outbreak, including RM1,000 one-off assistance to those who tested positive for the virus.
Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the state government had also agreed to allocate a RM20,000 one-off assistance for constituents to each of the 56 assemblymen and a RM2,000 assistance to the beneficiaries of those who died from Covid-19 to help ease their burden.
At the same time, he said, the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ) would also consider giving an immediate assistance to those under the Asnaf category.
“With the MCO (movement control order) entering its third day today, the state government is aware of the economic implications faced by many. It understands that this MCO has minimised our daily routines.
“People of all walks of life, including smallholders, night market traders, large or medium scale public and private sector workers, children and parents, we are all affected,” he said in an announcement posted on his official Facebook page.
Hasni said the state government would also give rent exemption to 10,371 traders renting premises owned by local councils including at public markets, between April and December.
“Meanwhile, 151 SMEs operating at premises owned by the state government bodies, such as Perbadanan Usahawan Johor, will also be given the necessary help and incentives. As for the state government’s part-time employees, their daily salaries will include the MCO period,” he added.
The state government would also look at other initiatives to ensure that the state Health Department and Information Department would continue to provide the public with regular updates on the Covid-19 outbreak.
He said during a visit by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to the Permai Hospital yesterday, a report issued by the Johor Health director showed that 88 tested positive for Covid-19 in the state but the number has increased to 101. – March 20, 2020, Bernama
