The state government has to make a different formula to help tourism operators in Pulau Pangkor who have been impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak for a long time.

Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, a Pangkor assemblyman, remarked that providing one-time assistance is not appropriate at this time and that a special long-term plan is needed to assist the sliding sector.

“I have sought the help of the state government for continuous aid such as rehabilitation assistance when the sector reopens.

“I have also heard complaints by traders and hawkers and I will present these grievances as before this, the government had announced giving moratorium but in the context of shops, perhaps the rent could be lowered to ease their burden,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference on Pulau Pangkor today after introducing the Pangkor Island Care Program, which was organised by the Pangkor Island Hotel and Resort Development Association.

To help ease their burden, 400 staff from 53 hotels and homestays on Pulau Pangkor received funding for essential food supplies.

In this regard, Zambry said he had also proposed to the state administration that the vaccination process in Pulau Pangkor be accelerated in order to acquire herd immunity, allowing the tourism sector, which is a major source of income for the inhabitants of Pulau Pangkor, to reopen more quickly.

“I have informed the Tourism Exco on the herd immunity plan on the island as achieving herd immunity would itself enable tourism to reopen on the island,” he said.