GEORGE TOWN – A high-powered task force, comprising 111 business leaders and activists, has submitted a memorandum to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, urging the prime minister to relax pandemic-induced rules to allow most businesses to operate.
The document, presented to Muhyiddin yesterday and sighted by The Vibes, contains 13 suggestions to help businesses get back on their feet after bleeding red due to the implementation of two rounds of movement control orders (MCOs) to reduce the spread of Covid-19. The country is placed under MCO 2.0 until February 18.
The prolonged pandemic, the group said, “has brought most businesses in Malaysia to their knees”, and the survival of these firms is in “serious jeopardy”, especially the livelihoods of workers.
Major signatories from the self-styled Covid-19 Special Task Force Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organisations of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade and Entrepreneurs include Malaysian Association of Amusement Theme Parks and Family Attractions president Tan Sri Richard Koh, Bumiputera Retailers Organisation president Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin, Malaysia Budget Hotel Association president Emmy Suraya Hussein, and Malaysia Footwear Manufacturers Association president Rachel Foo.
The 13 demands comprise, among others:
- The reinstatement of the automated bank moratorium, with a waiver on interest accrued from now until December 31 – with an extension of three more months should the pandemic continue.
- A waiver on licensing and assessment charges for all businesses until year end, and another for statutory payments, such as EPF and Socso contributions, income tax deductions, and foreign worker levy payments. Such deferments are needed until year end.
- Power subsidies of up to 50% across the board and the wage subsidy to be raised from present RM600 to RM1,200, anchored on the premise that the present minimum wage is set at RM1,200, whereas the median wage of a worker is RM2,308 as of November last year.
- Soft loans to be accorded with a need for a quicker turnaround response from financiers in view of the cash flow crunch that businesses may be suffering from now.
- A single window or one-stop centre in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia to process, approve and disburse funds or aid that the government had previously announced.
- Danajamin, the government’s financial guarantor, should be carved up to allow a special purpose vehicle to disburse funds to needy groups, such as micro and small businesses.
- A special relief fund based on the capital expenditure of companies in 2019 and last year, as well as rental relief whereby landlords will be given a tax incentive and bank interest waiver.
- Leeway for monthly tax payments, extension time for submission to the Companies Commission of Malaysia and no introduction of any new taxes, as such news will dampen the business environment and push away foreign direct investments.
The representatives concluded that businesses must move on, thus requiring an immediate reinstatement of all trade, albeit with strict adherence to standard operating procedures. – The Vibes, February 9, 2021
