PM to local authorities: Be more proactive in helping traders
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called on local authorities and government agencies to be more proactive by going to the ground to meet traders to get to know their problems.
He said steps should be taken to assist them restart their businesses after being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“On this matter, there should be a different approach carried out so that the efforts by the government to regenerate the economy is successfully implemented.
“If before this, traders and operators have to refer to the district council, local authorities or chambers of commerce, now local authorities and government agencies need to go to the ground to meet traders to get to know their problems.
“This is also part of the new normal which government bodies must get used to as the way we work,” he said in a statement after attending a meeting with representatives of district traders and industries at the Muar district office yesterday.
Muhyiddin stressed that Malaysia should not lag behind other countries in rehabilitating the economy, more so when it is recognised as among the best countries in containing the spread of Covid-19.
Taking cognizance of this, the government had made firm and bold decisions to reopen various economic sectors in stages to ensure businesses and industries could resume their activities and restore their business.
“I would like to remind that there should not be unnecessary restrictions and obstacles on businesses which have been allowed to restart their operation, from carrying out their business.
“We must facilitate them. If they do not have licence, ease their application and expedite the approval process for them,” said Muhyiddin, who is Pagoh MP.
He said the economic sector in many countries had been badly affected and Malaysia was not exempted from the impact.
Earlier, at a closed-door session which lasted more than two hours, the Prime Minister held a dialogue with 37 representatives of trade and industry associations from Muar district.
The associations were from small and medium industry members, breeders, furniture manufacturers, bus operators, night and public market traders, old folk’s home operators as well as contractor associations and the Muar Indian Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from the International Trade and Industry Ministry, Finance Ministry’s Laksana unit, Health Ministry, Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
The meeting was held as Muar, which is Malaysia’s furniture hub occupying more than 400ha in Bakri.
Apart from that, it also took into consideration that Muar is a popular food paradise with various tourist attractions. — Bernama