SANDAKAN – Sandakan’s mini bus operators desperately need a moratorium extension on their loans to survive amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sabah Umno communications director Ghazalie Ansing said the livelihoods of some members of the Sandakan Mini Bus Operators Association (SMBOA) were crippled by the virus and urged the government to allow a loan moratorium extension for the operators.
SMBOA had also pleaded for the Government to extend the moratorium to the creditors namely Tan Chong Capital Resources, Toyota Capital, and a number of government registered banks.
“The bank moratoriums granted in April which allowed for the deferment or partial repayment had given them a reprieve but it was short lived and the economy had not fully recovered.
“The current economic crisis had caused SMBOA members to shoulder their vehicle loans and leases without any source of income due to the imposition of a public transport ban and a decline in passengers,” he said in a statement today.
Sabah Umno also called on Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong to implement a Household Living Aid (Bantuan Sara Hidup) initiative for the welfare of all mini bus operators especially those working in Sabah.
The welfare aid prepared by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) tabled in Budget 2021 must be refined to take into account the livelihoods of all mini bus operators.
Sabah Umno had heard many gripes from mini bus operators who said the aid targets a select few when in actuality their numbers are much larger.
SMBOA has also demanded for up to 50% subsidy for mini bus operators that are operating at a loss due to the half passenger capacity rule.
The association also wants a one-off financial aid which also covers other transportation service categories such as taxis, e-hailing services, and tourist bus operators.
“Umno Sabah will take their demands to the attention of the Federal Government,” said Ghazalie. – The Vibes, December 10, 2020.
