Have special task force to assist SMEs affected by MCO

Milton Foo

KUCHING (July 1): The federal government is urged to set up a special task force to assist businesses affected by Movement Control Order (MCO) such as hair saloons, beauty parlours, pubs, reflexology centres, bridal shops, and event management firms.

Giving this message was SUPP Youth secretary Milton Foo in response to the latest federal financial package named Pemulih (Recovery) for implementation under phase 1 of the National Recovery Programme (NRP) period.

The package includes giving out grant to targetted groups via Special Recovery Grant (GKP) 4.0, Wage Subsidy Scheme (PSU) 4.0 and six-month moratorium on bank loans.

“While the package is most welcomed, the government must play a more proactive role in assisting the affected businesses by setting up a special task force in giving out business grant such as RM3,000 to gyms or zero interest loan to assist them to pay staff salaries and rental during this period,” he said.

Meanwhile, SMEs Association of Sarawak president Dato Sri Charles Voon described the Pemulih package as a good initiative.

However, its benefits were only limited to the commercial sector, he said.

“Many SMEs such as food manufacturers are not allowed to buy subsidised cooking oil, and with the price of crude palm oil (CPO) high, many are finding it very difficult to continue production.

“On the other hand, employers in the SME sector are striving to ensure that all their employees are vaccinated at the earliest possible time, working together with the government to bring the economy back on its feet,” said Voon.

Charles Voon

He added that since the majority of workforce in the SME sector fell in the category of employees having salary below RM4,000 monthly, the previous subsidy of RM1,200 per employee was better compared to the latest RM600 per month for four months.

The previous subsidy was more helpful to the SMEs.

The government will support up to 500 workers per employer with assistance of RM600 per worker for four months.

The digitalisation plan would also be a great help to the SMEs, and Voon hoped the application process would be straightforward.

“We hope the relevant ministry can open up channels for SMEs to assist in the application process. SMEs, unlike multi-national corporations or listed companies, need all the help they can get from the government,” he added.

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