After demanding financial aid of RM60 a month from the state government, trishaw riders in Penang have been offered RM100 - albeit with a condition attached.

lim guan eng press conference on bicycle lane 251111 1Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (left) said he has directed Danny Law Heng Kian, the state executive councillor for tourism, to bump up the amount, after the riders had rejected the initial offer of RM100 every two months.

However, the payment will only be made if the riders participate fully in the George Town Car-free Day every Sunday from 7am to 5pm in designated streets, Lim said.

Lim said the state government had worked with the Penang Municipal Council three months ago, to establish Car-free Day on Sundays from Dec 11.

No motorised vehicles will be allowed in the specified zones, only bicycles and trishaws.

"This will assist trishaw riders in drawing an additional source of income," Lim said in a statement today.

"To ensure that only genuine trishaw riders benefit, the state government will propose that they must register with the Penang Tourism Department.”

Tipped as the first such green initiative in the country, Car-free Day is intended to reduce the carbon footprint, as well as to boost the earnings of low-income groups like trishaw riders.

Bonus payment

Yesterday, the Penang Trishaw Riders Association had demanded RM60 a month in aid.

In response, the state postponed the handing over of aid to the riders, which had been scheduled for earlier today.

Lim said the trishaw riders must be stationed at the allotted gathering point for a specified period of time to qualify for financial aid.

The state government will disburse RM20 per rider each week, with a RM20 bonus for attendance for every Car-free Day for the month.

"This will ensure that there are trishaws in the allotted areas for tourists and that genuine trishaw riders benefit (from the scheme)," he added.