A slew of opposition lawmakers has urged the government to reimpose a blanket automatic loan moratorium in light of the second movement control order (MCO 2.0).
They have also called upon Putrajaya to increase the RM600 wage subsidy quantum.
In a joint statement today, the 25 MPs said these measures were sorely needed to save jobs and businesses.
“To prevent this (the economy) from taking a nosedive, we urge the government to urgently impose automatic loan moratorium for six months for all, similar to that introduced during MCO 1.0 (last year),” they said.
The government’s present loan moratorium is targeted at those who have lost income or jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, not all.
They also proposed that the Social Security Organisation (Socso) RM600 per month wage subsidy be raised to a higher amount, and be extended for six months or longer.
“The current RM600 subsidy for one month only is insufficient as the aftermath of MCO 2.0 and the emergency are still in the process of unveiling itself for some sectors.
“A six-month wage subsidy will greatly encourage employers not to resort to cutting jobs and help carry them through half of this year as they face reduced sales and cash flow. For some, it may also encourage them to start recruitment again,” they said.
Employers can apply for wage subsidies for employees earning less than RM4,000.
Under the recently announced Perlindungan Ekonomi dan Rakyat Malaysia (Permai) stimulus package, the wage subsidy scheme was expanded to all companies allowed to operate during MCO 2.0.
The cap on workers per company who can receive wage subsidies has also been increased from 200 to 500 per company.
MCO 2.0, presently in effect nationwide except in Sarawak, differs from last year’s MCO as it allows more businesses to operate.
The 25 MPs who made the call today comprised Amanah, DAP, PKR, PSB, Warisan and independent lawmakers. They are:
Amanah - Salahuddin Ayub (Pulai), Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena), Khalid Samad (Shah Alam) and Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor).
DAP - Hannah Yeoh (Segambut), Yeo Bee Yin (Bakri), Teo Nie Ching (Kulai), Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji (Raub), Wong Shu Qi (Kluang), Teresa Kok (Seputeh), P Kasthuriraani (Batu Kawan), M Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat) and Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin).
PKR - Maria Chin (Petaling Jaya), Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng), P Prabakaran (Batu), Nor Azrina Surip (Merbok) and R Sivarasa (Sungai Buloh).
PSB - Baru Bian (Selangau)
Warisan - Darell Leiking (Penampang), Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar), Rozman Isli (Labuan) and Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Kota Belud).
Independents - Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar) and Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu). - Mkini
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