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Pakatan urges extra help for SME workers, firms facing Covid-19 including bigger wage subsidies

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Publish date: Tue, 31 Mar 2020, 07:07 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — While the recently announced economic stimulus package includes welfare aid for the next two months, it does not explain a viable fiscal plan, Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretariat council today said.

In a joint statement undersigned by PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, Parti Amanah Negara communications director Khalid Abdul Samad and DAP’s Ong Kian Ming, they said if implemented well, the stimulus package can help Malaysians meet their basic needs while they comply with the movement control order (MCO).

“However, the package does not explain the viable fiscal plan which prevents job losses as a result of the economic downturn faced by companies especially those categorised as small-medium enterprises (SMEs),” the statement said.

According to the statement, SMEs in Malaysia provide seven out of 10 jobs and play an important role in driving growth as well as income for the government through the payment of corporate tax.

“Therefore, extra help is needed not only to protect the well-being of the people, but also the fate of the SMEs,” it added.

Because the government will spend RM5.9 billion under the wage subsidy programme where it pays RM600 per month for three months for 3.3 million workers, PH secretariat council saw the number as insufficient.

“It is recommended that this payment be increased to RM1,200 that is in line with the national minimum wage rate.

“This will not only help employees, but also SMEs by reducing the payroll burden and helping to prevent workers being let go.

“This larger number is in line with efforts made in several other countries including Singapore, the United Kingdom and Australia,” the statement read. 

The PH secretariat council also looks at the economic situation especially in the next six months deeming that it requires rigorous planning and bipartisan support.

“This is due to the Covid-19 outbreak on the economy is long-term and can change the global economy.

“Therefore, the secretariat council is calling for an emergency parliamentary session to discuss Malaysia’s economic problems today, including bipartisan cooperation to curb the outbreak and save the country,” the statement read.

The one-off payments and loan repayment delays are part of the RM250 billion second stimulus package announced by Muhyiddin to address economic concerns caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/03/31/pakatan-urges-extra-help-for-sme-workers-firms-facing-covid-19-including-bi/1852115

Discussions
Be the first to like this. Showing 11 of 11 comments

EngineeringProfit

Pity SMEs.....totally missed out in the supposedly rescue package. Most of these have been consistently paying over RM100000 taxes annually for donkey years.

Sad. Too bad. Very bad. In this year 2020 Covid crisis, the gomen neglected them.

Should have given them a sum equals to their average tax payment over the past 3-5 years......so that they can pay their workers....survive on

....and gomen can contonue to collect taxes the following year onward

2020-03-31 19:23

qqq33333333

the honest truth.................its a failed state in the making..................but what can I do? Spend money...who don't know how to spend......know how to earn money or not? but for malay unity government, no crisis is go to waste without fattening somebody pocket....................................


malay unity government , malay mentality....sure bankrupt...............

2020-03-31 19:46

EngineeringProfit

Ya.....Daylight robbing in crises and sheraton moves.....

Shameless Unity in substandard mediocrity and impending bankruptcy

2020-03-31 20:06

EngineeringProfit

Looks like the MCO might be extended to end of April. If it happens, hundreds or thousands of SME will be closing shops and tens of thousands will be out of jobs.

2020-03-31 20:07

EngineeringProfit

Rationally, in the face of real life, down-to-earth plague and death issues now, everyone must really....

.....Fear Corona virus, not supernatural being

Practise meticulous personal hygiene, not symbolistic rituals

Self-discipline to adhere to social distancing, not crowding and hunting around for free meals (likely contaminated)

2020-03-31 20:15

firehawk

this SME owners are mostly non-malay, right?

2020-03-31 20:20

qqq33333333

extending to end April is a guarantee

2020-03-31 20:33

qqq33333333

shut down.... sign order only..... so easy.... who don't know how to do?

2020-03-31 20:35

qqq33333333

policemen harassing the public..... now act like gangsters only.

2020-03-31 20:36

qqq33333333

lock down minimum to end April.............


all the business owners in Malaysia.........well...malay unity government don't need u..............

2020-03-31 21:03

qqq33333333

the gold standard.........https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdDpmAt3lxo

2020-03-31 21:15

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