GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government today announced special financial assistance (BBK) of half a month's salary or a minimum of RM1,200 to 7,114 civil servants in the state in conjunction with Aidilfitri.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government approved the special assistance at the state executive council (MMK) meeting yesterday and payment would be made on April 27 in preparation for celebrating Aidilfitri in early May.

"The BBK is also extended to employees of all local authorities (PBT) and state statutory bodies," he said in a statement today.

He said RM300 each will also be channelled to supervisors and teachers of Quran and Fardu Ain Classes (KAFA), teachers and staff of Sekolah Rendah Agama Rakyat (SRAR), Sekolah Menengah Agama Rakyat (SMAR) and government-aided religious aid schools (SABK) and Chinese private schools in the state.

Meanwhile, RM200 will be distributed to teachers at tahfiz, pondok and Islamic kindergartens (TADIS) respectively.

He said the assistance involved financial implications estimated at RM7.35 million to the state government.

-- BERNAMA