KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) has hoped that the government could ramp up aids for the people and businesses in its coming economic stimulus package, following the extension of the Covid-19 full lockdown.
Its President, Tan Sri T.C Goh proposed that, besides extending or expanding the various aids provided in the seven economic stimulus packages, which were introduced previously, the government should also consider introducing a ‘special Covid-19 tax relief’ package for individual and corporate taxpayers.
He said, such a measure could provide moderate tax relief to middle-income groups or small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), to allow them to retain the much-needed cash-flow to better cope and survive the devastating economic impact of the pandemic.
“With the people giving their full cooperation in fighting the pandemic, it is necessary and important for the government to come out with effective measures which could strike a good balance between saving the people’s lives and saving the economy; this include introduction of proper and effective standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to accelerate the national immunization program, among others,” he said.
Goh who is also President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) said this in a statement issued today, while commenting on the the prime minister’s announcement of extension of the ongoing Covid-19 full lockdown, which was supposed to end on 28 June,.
Goh said the extension was understandable in view of the fact that Covid-19 outbreak in the country hasn’t improved, especially with the number of confirmed cases still exceeding 4,000 cases daily.
“The government could perhaps consider allowing certain economic or service sectors to re-open under enhanced SOP,” he suggested.
Meanwhile, he hoped that the coming economic stimulus package, which was expected to be announced either on Monday or Tuesday, could provide the much-needed help to the people and businesses, amidst the extended full lockdown.
He added that, besides the Federal government and state government providing the necessary aid to the people and businesses, the local authority and government-linked companies (GLCs) too should strive to roll out policies or aid packages which could help the people to get through this devastating pandemic.
“Only then, the National Recovery Plan could fully achieve its intended goal,” he concluded.-pr/BNN
