IPOH:The Perak government will provide a one-off RM500 aid to 9,316 petty traders and hawkers to ease their burden following the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in the state.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the assistance approved under the State Economic Stimulus Package Phase 4 (PRE Phase 4) would be given out this month involving an allocation of RM4.65 million.

"This is the second one-off aid given to petty traders and hawkers. The first one was RM500 cash assistance channelled under the PRE Phase 2.

"Under PRE Phase 4, the state government has approved an allocation of almost RM9 million to ease the burden of petty traders and hawkers as well as micro entrepreneurs in Perak," he said in a statement here today.

Apart from that, Ahmad Faizal said the state government also offered rental exemption to food stalls belonging to 15 local authorities throughout Perak for this month which benefited 10,335 petty traders and hawkers with an allocation of RM1.63 million.

To help more micro entrepreneurs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ahmad Faizal said the state government also agreed to increase the allocation for the Perak Entrepreneur Grant (GeRUP) to RM2.7 million.

"Previously, under PRE Phase 2, the state government has approved an allocation of RM1 million to help micro entrepreneurs to remain competitive," he said.

-- BERNAMA