NEW LAW TO MITIGATE COVID-19 EFFECTS
It aims to rehabilitate economy, assist people in postCovid-19 pandemic, says minister
THE government is proposing a new Temporary Implementation Measures law to mitigate the economic, social and industrial impacts of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and law) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said the cabinet, in its meetings on April 29 and May 20, agreed to the proposal to table the new bill.
He said the tabling of the bill would entail the amendment of several provisions in existing legal acts, and that the move was undertaken in an effort to rehabilitate the economy, as well as to assist the people in post-Covid-19 pandemic.
“Through the drafting of the bill, the government is confident that the post-Covid-19 effects can be effectively and efficiently addressed,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The Kota Baru member of parliament said all the relevant ministries had been told to identify the provisions to be amended in acts that came under their jurisdiction. The ministries would submit the amendments at a Special Meeting on the Draft Bill, which will be chaired by Takiyuddin on May 28.
The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department would act as the coordinator for this draft bill measure, Takiyuddin said.
He added that the outcome of the ministry’s consultations and direct sessions with the implementing agencies, including civil societies and non-governmental organisations, would be forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for tabling in the July Parliament sitting.
“The drafting of the Temporary Implementation Measures Bill is to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 and is a temporary relief to override any provisions that are not in accordance with the prescribed period.
“Therefore, every proposal to be included in the bill should be related to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, which has affected businesses, companies, including small- and mediumsized enterprises, and the people as a whole.”