KOTA BARU – The Kelantan Bus Operators’ Association has urged the government to consider continuing the moratorium to all bus operators without conditions until the Covid-19 pandemic in the country is over.
Its president, Che Ibrahim Che Ismail, said the association also appealed that the moratorium be extended to loans from credit companies and not only banking institutions.
“The imposition of interests as a result of rescheduling of loans from banks and credit companies should also be exempted and its implementation must be directly monitored by Bank Negara Malaysia or government agencies deemed suitable,” he said in a statement today.
Che Ibrahim said the association also sought the expedition of the bus hire purchase rehabilitation scheme announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin through the Malaysian Economic and Rakyat’s Protection Assistance Package (Permai) on Monday be expedited.
“Other than tour buses and taxis, it should also involve express buses so that all loans from hire purchase and leasing companies can be restructured to enjoy the moratorium for 12 months and the payments of lower monthly instalments,” he said.
Che Ibrahim also said that he hoped the one-off payment through the Permai assistance package would also be given to express bus drivers as they were also adversely impacted by the pandemic resulting in most having to go on unpaid leave or terminated.
In announcing Permai, Muhyiddin also said the aid would be given to 14,000 tourist guides and 118,000 drivers of taxis, school buses, tour buses, rental cars and e-hailing vehicles. – Bernama, January 22, 2021
