KOTA KINABALU – Putrajaya should consider waiving or deferring all income tax payable for 2020 and 2021 to give Malaysians a chance to recover economically.
Warisan vice-president Datuk Junz Wong said, with the tax relief, Malaysians will have more disposable income, especially the M40 group, that will go back into the economy when they spend.
He also slammed the government for saying it has no authority over banks.
“Didn’t the government claim credit for the last moratorium? How come now, it is not within their power?”
He added that the federal government has shown its power in the implementation of the emergency rule and approving billions of ringgit without going through Parliament.
Wong said repeated reminders by banks to borrowers to pay up are putting undue pressure on businesses that are already suffering from the economic impact brought by the pandemic.
He added that the government is ignoring the issues and wants Malaysians to solve these challenges themselves.
On another matter, Wong, who is also Tg Aru assemblyman, said it was disappointing that, while Thailand plans to reopen to international tourism next month, Malaysia is still bogged down by the low Covid-19 vaccination rate.
“Reopening seems far-fetched, unless the government starts to ramp up the vaccination drive.
“Sabah is the least vaccinated state in Malaysia, and we will continue to be the least vaccinated state unless a different approach is taken.
“Start opening more vaccination centres. It can be done through private clinics, drive-thru centres and malls, to encourage citizens to register and walk-in for vaccinations.
“Consideration must also be given to allow private sectors to import vaccines with the supervision of the Health Ministry,” he said, adding that any monopoly on vaccines should end. – The Vibes, June 3, 2021
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