PRACTISE CAUTION
RESTRICTIONS might be eased from tomorrow, but be reminded that the MCO remains in force as the war against Covid-19 is not over.
KUALA LUMPUR: Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said a recovery plan post-Covid-19 with an allocation of RM372.845 million is in place to help entrepreneurs and businesses recover.
He said the plan would be implemented in two phases, with the first to run from this month to December and the second from January to May next year.
“Six strategies comprising 30 initiatives have been carved out for target groups.”
He said it was hoped the six strategies would boost the confidence of entrepreneurs and the people, empower the capabilities and capacity of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-entrepreneurs, increase access and aid, increase the use of technology, expand the market and deliver efficient services.
He said about 907,000 SMEs and micro-entrepreneurs would face a different business scenario once the Movement Control Order (MCO) was lifted.
He said the National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund had received more than 17,000 applications online for the Covid Business Recovery Financing Scheme, which began on April 16.
“(The ministry) received 17,845 applications, of which 5,684, amounting to RM47.6 million, have been approved up to April 30.”
He said Bank Negara Malaysia had announced an addition to the Special Relief Fund, from RM2 billion to RM5 billion, to help more SMEs affected by Covid-19.
Up to April 26, RM4.5 billion in loans had been approved for 8,500 SMEs, an increase from RM2.7 billion for 5,000 SMEs.
Public sector heads of department have been urged to take measures to ensure the best services were provided to the public during the Conditional Movement Order Control (CMCO).
Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali yesterday said this must be done without compromising the safety and welfare of civil servants as outlined in the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the CMCO.
He said among measures to take to adapt to the new normal in the public service include ensuring only the necessary number of employees at the office, rotating employees, devising flexible working hours for parents and encouraging virtual meetings using a safe and secure medium to ensure confidentiality.
“The SOP includes ensuring there are enough personnel in government offices.”
He said civil servants must also heed instructions from the authorities.
“The CMCO and all directives issued by the authorities must be complied with. Health and safety protocols at the office must be in line with the social distancing order and instructions from the Health Ministry and the National Security Council.”
He said the Public Service Department would issue an SOP soon.
On Friday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the gradual reopening of economic sectors beginning tomorrow.
The nation reportedly lost RM2.4 billion a day during the MCO, which began on March 18 and will run until May 12.