KUALA LUMPUR – Several Pakatan Harapan MPs have poured scorn on the government’s lack of stimulus packages even though it has been days since the reimposition of the movement control order (MCO) was announced.
This demonstrates the Perikatan Nasional administration’s inefficiency and lack of planning, despite already having the experience of imposing similar restrictions – and introducing various types of aid – during the first MCO last year, they said.
Former deputy international trade and industry minister Ong Kian Ming said the lack of preparation for the current MCO can be traced back to last November, when the government tabled an “unrealistic Budget 2021”.
PN also failed to prepare additional assistance for small and medium enterprises should another lockdown be imposed, as is the case now, meaning more companies are likely to suffer, the Bangi lawmaker from DAP told The Vibes.
“Hence, it is not surprising that there has not been any announcement on additional financial assistance to companies and individuals during this latest MCO.
“As we’ve seen with this PN government, their actions often come as ‘too little, too late’. Many businesses will close down if the government goes on like this, without any additional support.”
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday announced that five states and the Federal Territories will be placed under the MCO from January 13 to 26, with restrictions in other states to be tightened, as Malaysia’s Covid-19 situation worsens.
PM more concerned about Umno pulling support
PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said it is exceptionally disconcerting that Muhyiddin, in his Monday address, made no mention of any kind of support for those affected by the MCO, especially given the government’s experience with the lockdown imposed in March last year.
“The lack of support comes as a surprise, especially when Malaysians are only slowly getting back on their feet. I would have expected Muhyiddin to pay more attention to this than to Umno MPs withdrawing support.
“What should have happened immediately after Muhyiddin announced the MCO was for all SOPs and government aid to be announced, too. They had time to prepare. This is just a very poor show of leadership.”
In a separate statement posted on Facebook, the Lembah Pantai MP urged Putrajaya to automatically extend the loan moratorium until June 31, expand the Wage Subsidy Programme and waive rent for People’s Housing Project residents, among others.
Perplexing not to learn from experience
Other than the lack of aid, said PKR’s Subang MP, Wong Chen, also baffling is that the government does not seem to have learnt from the MCO experience last year, going by its delay in releasing SOPs this time around.
He said it took almost a full day after the prime minister’s address for the complete list of dos and don’ts to be made public.
“Having already gone through the first MCO last year, they ought to have learnt the issues involved, and should have prepared the SOPs in advance.
“Other countries would have had their list of rules and regulations ready once an MCO or other restrictions are announced.
“You cannot be rewriting the whole SOP every time a new restriction order is imposed. It shows the government’s lack of efficiency and having no planning at all.” – The Vibes, January 15, 2021
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