Govt seeks feedback on stimulus package

SEBERANG JAYA: The Finance Ministry needs feedback from sectors most badly affected by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus before it can roll out its stimulus package for the economy.

Its minister, Lim Guan Eng, said the priority is to ensure that the sectors that have felt the greatest impact of the crisis are also those that will benefit the most from the effort.

For a start, he said, the government has to know the extent of the ill effects of the outbreak.

The Finance Ministry must also liaise with the Health Ministry to ascertain if the outbreak has been contained globally and domestically, he said.

“Therefore, we can unveil the stimulus package only after consultations with various stakeholders.”

He said the package must also be comprehensive to ensure all affected sectors are covered.

Lim was commenting on reports that up to RM15 billion would be pumped into the economy to help in its recovery.

The tourism industry has felt the crisis most severely, with widespread cancellations for travel and hotel accommodation.

Lim said he would be meeting with tourism industry players to seek their feedback on the stimulus package.

He acknowledged that the impact on Malaysia will be big given that it is a major trading partner with China.

“However, that does not mean that the government must be rushed into providing aid,” he said.

Tourism industry players, such as Malaysian Association of Hotels CEO Yap Lip Seng, have called for immediate measures to be introduce to counter the drop in tourist arrivals.