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Iskandar Malaysia’s Official Newspaper is an effort by True Soul Media PLT & Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)
Rebound Healthcare Travel Page 2
the ISSUE 95
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JULY 2020
Accumulating Wealth Has the Bull Returned?
The Return of Home Ownership Campaign Page 21
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electricity bills. Business operators whose premises were shut during the MCO period were also left in shock by the high bills they received especially when there was no usage of electricity. TNB has clarified that the recent spike in the bills were due to more people staying at home, resulting in higher usage. TNB also insists that the bills are prorated @theISKANDARIAN
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Take What You Need, Leave What You Can
portals, as well at the notice boards on site. Health clinics typically cater to patients who have appointments with specific departments such as dental, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, outpatient department and so on. This SOP is also now extended to include patients who are looking to follow up or reschedule appointments with specialist departments. The health clinics are also open for COVID-19 screenings (separately). “We have provided access to a number of QR codes on the many notice boards located around the health clinics as well as online. This is to shorten the waiting period by efficiently registering and rescheduling appointments prior to coming to the health clinic itself,” said Fahmi Sanusi, an Assistant Medical officer at the Mahmoodiah Health Clinic. - by Harish Mustak TI
Additional PRIHATIN Aid for Electricity
e had highlighted that during the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) had suspended all its physical metre reading at premises. Even though manual metre readings have resumed since 15th May 2020 at certain areas, the public were left baffled by the exorbitant
Monthly Drill
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Health Clinics Only Open for Appointments and Screenings
ff late the social media has been constantly bombarded by COVID-19 news and other news either related to it directly or indirectly. However, certain viral or hot topics relating to current affairs have not been entirely true or false. The platforms of online news and social media posts have caused some confusion for people who are looking for solutions and answers to every day questions. One query in particular was whether patients who have appointments at government health clinics are allowed to follow up on their scheduled appointments. The answer is straightforward as the standard operating procedures in regards to following up and rescheduling appointments were communicated and implemented by the government health clinics since 21st May by way of social media. The SOPs were even announced before the post. Recently, there was some speculation regarding the situation at most health clinics whereby patients had to line up in a long and winding queue just to get into the health clinics. At some point, the bee-lines were said to be over pouring to the main roads especially on clinic days without any shelter that lead patients and the elderly. The government health clinics assured the patients that this issue can be resolved very simply by scanning the QR code provided on the social media platforms, or on the state health department online
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hile times are tough due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysians are pulling together to support communities with kindness and trust, giving old methods such as communal food pantries an innovative spin. The #AyamWithYou Food Pantry initiative, by Ayam Brand and 13 charity homes nationwide is working to help charities and to empower them to help surrounding communities that are need. In Pertubuhan Kebajikan Shafar, an orphanage in Kampung Pasir is leading the way for the local community by managing the #AyamWithYou pantry in this area where Ayam Brand provided them two months’ supply of their products for its residents, and suggested the food pantry or ‘gerobok rezeki’ as a solution for the community. The weather-proof food pantry is set up outside the charity home’s compound so that social distancing is observed. It is open to the public round-the-clock. Residents update the community about the food pantry through community groups on social media and messaging apps, while children from the home are responsible to top up the Ayam Brand products daily. Response to the initiative has been overwhelming with the daily allocation of Ayam Brand’s products such as tuna, baked beans, processed peas, canned
and will ensure accurate billing for each estimated monthly bill and customers will not be overcharged. Despite the assurance given by TNB, the public were still not satisfied of the high bills and as a result, the Prime Minister has approved Additional Electricity Assistance (Bantuan PRIHATIN Elektrik Tambahan) for all electricity consumers in the domestic category. This will help reduce the burdens of the public and will benefit at least 7.66 million consumers nationwide. 52.2% of domestic consumers with a monthly electricity bill of RM77 and below (300kWh usage) will enjoy free
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pineapples and coconut milk snapped up quickly, and other essentials being added, with strong support from the community. Through its long-running Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, Ayam Brand has contributed more than 2 million healthy meals for charity, providing nutritious food to more than 21,800 people from 524 charity organisations and NGOs over the past 12 years. The #AyamWithYou food pantry is located at No. 15, Jalan Limau, Kampung Pasir, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor. Be part of the movement to receive or to give essentials. Find out more about the #AyamWithYou food pantry initiative, visit https://www.ayambrand.com.my. by Priya Manikam TI
electricity for April, May and June 2020. Whereas, those exceeding 300kWh will receive a total of RM231 electricity bill, i.e. RM77 per month for April, May and June 2020. According to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, those who have already paid their bills, the amount will be credited/adjusted in their July electricity bill. This extra aid is in addition to the electricity bill discount that was given since 1st April 2020 and is funded by the government through Kumpulan Wang Industri Elektrik (KWIE), the Ministry of Finance and TNB, costing RM942 million. - by Priya Manikam TI www.theiskandarian.com