GEORGE TOWN – How did we come to this, DAP’s Zairil Khir Johari asks the government, as the nationwide movement control order (MCO) takes effect today on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, one of Malaysia’s biggest celebrations.
“It speaks volumes about the failure of the Perikatan Nasional government to contain and control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The DAP assistant national publicity secretary urged Putrajaya to grant a three-month loan moratorium and cash aid to help B40 and M40 groups through the country’s third MCO.
Instead of celebrating in the lead-up to Aidilfitri, we find ourselves at a harrowing juncture. Infection rates show no sign of letting up, while cumulative cases are threatening to hit the half-million mark in a matter of weeks if things don’t improve.
“Meanwhile, only 3.4% of our population has received at least a single dose of the vaccine, making us laggards compared to countries with far larger populations that have achieved about 50% vaccination rates.
“More critically, Malaysians in every demography are now struggling to get by, burdened further by constant inconsistencies and flip-flops that serve only to confuse a public already fuming over the disproportionate and inequitable enforcement of SOPs.”
Though the MCO is needed to curb infections, said Zairil, he believes it stems from the PN administration’s failure to contain the coronavirus despite having had a state of emergency in place since January.
“With SMEs employing almost half of Malaysia’s labour force, a loan moratorium will have an immediate impact on this important sector of the economy. Business owners can improve their cash flow, while employees will be encouraged by increased job security.
With the youth unemployment rate recording a high of 13.9% earlier this year, and unemployment generally hovering around the 4.8% mark, a loan moratorium will undoubtedly help save many jobs.
“More importantly, a loan moratorium such as the one implemented last year will provide instant relief to millions of borrowers, besides lubricating the economy with some badly needed liquidity.”
Despite the various types of monetary assistance given out through six stimulus packages to date totalling RM340 billion, he said, many people do not feel aided.
The packages are Prihatin (RM250 billion), Prihatin SMEs (RM10 billion), Penjana (RM35 billion), Kita Prihatin (RM10 billion), Permai (RM15 billion) and Pemerkasa (RM20 billion), coupled with the National Trust Fund.
Things are made worse when the people see double standards in the enforcement of virus SOPs.
“If the federal government truly cares about the welfare of the rakyat, they should consider providing a targeted monthly cash assistance of RM1,000 for the B40 and RM500 for the M40, for three months,” said Zairil.
“On top of the loan moratorium, such measures will definitely go a long way in assisting those who are worst hit, especially with the need for online learning as schools are shut once again.”
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday announced that the MCO will be imposed nationwide from today to June 7, making for the second Aidilfitri in a row observed under lockdown.
However, Sabah and Sarawak have said they will maintain the conditional MCO. – The Vibes, May 12, 2021
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