Harapan wants one-off assistance boosted from RM500 to RM2,000

 

The Pakatan Harapan Cost of Living Committee has backed the government’s decision to extend the phase 2 nationwide total lockdown for 14 days starting from June14-28 but said a comprehensive aid package must also be put in place.

“We wholeheartedly agree with the extension due to the fact that the number of reported Covid-19 new cases is still high, with no less than 5,000 cases per day.

“However, comprehensive aid packages to all affected citizens should be distributed,” read a statement signed by MPs Hassan Karim, Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus, Chong Chieng Jen, Natrah Ismail, V Sivakumar, Chan Foong Hin and Cha Kee Chin.

They said that the one-off assistance of RM500 (for household income less than RM2500) or RM300 (household income RM2,500 - RM5,000) is still too little and the financial assistance will only be disbursed at the end of this month.

“The committee suggests that the one-off assistance be given immediately and should be increased to RM2,000 and RM1,500, respectively,” they said.

They also backed the plea by DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with regards to the loan moratorium.

“The committee proposes a three-month moratorium to the M40 group, since the moratorium only applies to the B40 group when in reality the M40 group is also severely affected.

“Wage subsidy should also be extended to three months to help SMEs and prevent workers from being laid off, as mooted by Kumpulan Majikan dan Pekerja,” they added.

Another suggestion was for a subsidy or TNB tariff rebate at 30 percent for domestic consumers since electricity consumption would increase due to the MCO.

The committee also called for the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) to be more accountable in providing approval for businesses to operate during MCO 3.0.

“There is too much leniency given to many types of businesses to operate, with more than 17 sectors allowed.

“This situation does not help - in fact it retards the effort to flatten the curve of pandemic,” the committee said. - Mkini