KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) has proposed the government to further boost its ‘Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package’, to better assist the business sector and the people to stay afloat during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, which might be further extended after this as hinted by the prime minister.
The prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has hinted this on Friday when announcing that the ongoing MCO period is extended from April 15 to April 28.
In a response issued on Saturday, Huazong president Tan Sri T.C Goh especially hoped that the government could extend the three-month ‘Wage Subsidy Program’ which it announced on March 27, accordingly.
The said scheme which was expanded from RM5.9bil to RM13.8bil, an increase of RM7.9bil intended to ease the financial burden of SMEs, so that they could continue to retain their workers during the MCO period, thus preventing a potential massive unemployment.
Goh also called on the government to formulate a more comprehensive-and-effective standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure good cooperation and compliance of regulations by businesses in the selected sectors which have been given the green light to resume operations in stages under the MCO period.
“We in Huazong welcome and support the government’s decision to extend the Movement Control Order as, it’s a right decision that would save many lives amidst the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Goh then said, Huazong has come out with a five-point proposal in response to the further extension of the MCO, as follows:
1. Government to consider boosting the ‘Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package’ by providing additional cash aid or subsidy for people across the board, in order to assist them to better survive the ongoing economic hardships as the result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the MCO.
2. To extend the three-month Wage Subsidy Program announced earlier, accordingly.
3. Besides the manufacturing and services sectors, the government should also consider allowing the construction sector and auto parts business to resume operations, by limiting the number of workers based on their production scale. And also, to provide proper SOP for them to strictly comply with.
4. The relevant government agencies such as those which come under the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to take the initiative to expedite the release of claims submitted by businesses, so as to help them to overcome their cash-flow problem.
5. To expedite the arrival of the Chinese medical experts and epidemiologists to assist in the fight against the Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Goh said with the MCO entering its 25th day today, there seemed to be a positive sign of the Covid-19 outbreak slowing down in the country.
He nonetheless opined that Malaysians must not take any chances to let the guard down at this moment, citing the advice issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as the latest statistics of various countries in the world in regards to the pandemic.
“We should take serious note of the prime minister’s statement that, the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is not over yet, and that we must all be prepared for a long haul ahead,” he added.
He also reiterated his call urging the Chinese community to continue to give their full cooperation and support to the government in the fight against the devastating pandemic.
He was delighted to note that during this extraordinary and challenging period of time, the Chinese community in the country has demonstrated a high degree of cooperation and support to the government’s ongoing efforts in combating the Covid-19.-pr/BNN
