KUCHING: The Pemerkasa Plus stimulus package announced by Putrajaya yesterday (May 31) will complement Sarawak’s Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 6.0.
Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Kuching branch chairman Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok said that as expected, under Pemerkasa Plus, there will be additional cash handouts for the B40 and M40, including the one-off RM500, RM300 and RM100 payments respectively.
“The announcement on the automatic three-month bank loan moratorium for B40, micro and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is highly welcomed as most businesses and industries, and SMEs require this assistance urgently.
“Many of them will be thankful but they should further request for a longer period of moratorium to bring much longer relief,” he said.
He said it should also include the M40 group and whoever needs it, and with minor terms and conditions automatic bank loan repayment and moratorium.
“In addition, the wage subsidy under Pemerkasa Plus has being extended to another month. This will bring some relief to Sarawak businesses as we have missed out the three-month subsidy under the initial programme because we have classified our lockdown as enhanced movement control order (Emco) instead of the movement control order (MCO) while having almost the same standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“My hope is that the federal government will assist affected Sarawakian businesses with the initial three-month wage subsidies. Most businesses receiving the wage subsidies will be able to sustain their employees so that there is no retrenchment, subsequently helping to reduce unemployment in the state,” he said.
Sim said the Housing Ownership Campaign (HOC) and sales tax exemption for cars extended until Dec 31, 2021 is also a good move.
“In addition, the prime minister also announced that the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) will consider appeals for the imposition of penalties and defer payment of penalties to 2022 as well as provide rescheduling of outstanding tax payments for taxpayers and affected businesses. This is appreciated by all businesses where cashflow is affected under the current business environment.
“And the Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (Covid-19) Act (Act 829) is also extended till end of this December which will help to reduce legal claims due to delays in various contracts in Malaysia and which will also save us time and cost,” he said.
Sim noted that the prime minister has also committed to hastening the vaccine rollout by getting more vaccination centres in anticipation of higher vaccine arrivals from this month, which is good so that more people will be protected and the state could achieve herd immunity.
“We need a clear vaccination plan to complement the economic exit plan so that our country can move clearly on the road of recovery and growth which can take us forward after the pandemic.
“The best solution to beat this invisible enemy is through vaccination and we must be vaccinated until we achieve herd immunity so that we can return to our old normal way of life,” said Sim.
