EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION OF GOVT AID LAUDED
THE government has done a good job in distributing aid to the people through Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) and the Wage Subsidy Programme (PSU).
Putra Business School Associate Professor Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said when the government announced BPR in the 2021 Budget, the targeted number of recipients was 8.1 million.
“The latest data shows that the government managed to give aid to 8.45 million recipients and almost 30 per cent of the money allocated has been disbursed within the first two months of 2021.
“For the PSU, even though the original allocation for PSU 1.0 was RM5.9 billion, the government has actually allocated RM12.76 billion, benefiting 2.64 million workers.”
He added that PSU 2.0 had seen almost one third of its allocation disbursed.
“Hopefully, the PSU 3.0 allocation will see the same efficiency as before.”
He said the positive impact from direct fiscal injection through the initiatives was evident from statistics, especially when the number of employed persons in December 2020 increased from the month before. “Therefore, I can say that the government has fulfilled its commitment and obligation to the people through these initiatives,” Razman added.
Tourism stakeholders are optimistic
about their prospects because of government aid and the start of the Covid-19 vaccination.
“This is the time for companies to prepare for the return of business events.
“With the fast-paced development of the vaccine and quick action by the government, companies must keep up,” said Place Borneo Sdn Bhd director Gracie Veronica Geikie.
Sabah Tourism Board general manager Noredah Othman said: “We now have the Sabah International Convention
Center, which amplifies our ability to host bigger events and groups.”
The Kelantan Bus Operators Association expressed gratitude to the government for extending the Wage Subsidy Programme under Permai.
Association president Che Ibrahim Che Ismail said this eased the burden of bus operators.
“On behalf of the association’s members, I thank the government for helping us.
“We are also grateful for the incentive under the Permai package to give RM500 to all 14,000 tourist guides and more than 100,000 taxi and e-hailing drivers as well as school and tour bus operators.”