Umno leader: Let TNB bear discount, gov't can purchase ventilators with RM500m

CORONAVIRUS | Umno supreme council member Abdul Rahman Dahlan believes that TNB should bear the burden of the two percent discount for electricity bills instead of the government.

He said the government can instead use the RM500 million to acquire ventilators and other medical equipment to handle the escalating Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia.

“The price of fuel and coal is cheap. TNB's operational cost has reduced. So let TNB bear the discount, not the government,” he pointed out in a statement published on Umno Online.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced the two percent discount for those in the commercial, industrial and agriculture sectors, as well as for domestic users in light of the economic impact caused by Covid-19.

He said the discount, which would benefit more than 10 million households and commercial users, is expected to involve an estimated allocation of RM500 million.

Meanwhile, Rahman also made several other suggestions, which included allowing chemical firms to switch their business to produce hand sanitisers despite not having a licence from the Health Ministry or Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to do so.

“The compound involved in producing hand sanitisers is not difficult or complicated. Since it is not an edible product, those licences related to this can be abolished.

“If there is insufficient supply of plastic bottles, allow the firms to sell them in the 'form of quantity' which can be filled into bottles brought by the consumers,” he added.

The former Kota Belud MP said all material and products from China which are kept in warehouses at Malaysian ports should be released without a protracted quarantine period.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) is of the view that the chances of contracting the virus through packages or goods are low. At least, factories can continue to operate,” he added.

Apart from this, Rahman suggested that the government allow restaurants to operate without customers.

“They can send food via Food Panda or Grab Food. This would allow the food delivery riders to earn extra income and provide a breathing space for restaurant owners,” he added.

The Umno leader also urged the government to ban short selling in Bursa Malaysia and to punish those who buy excessive food items and groceries.

Last night, Muhyiddin announced that the government would impose a restricted movement order for two weeks from March 18 until March 31.

The order involves the following:

1. A ban on all mass gatherings, including religious, sports, social and cultural activities.

All business premises will have to close, except supermarkets, wet markets, grocery shops and convenience stores.

2. All Malaysians are banned from travelling abroad while Malaysians returning from abroad will have to undergo health screenings and undergo self-quarantine for 14 days.

3. Entry restrictions for foreign tourists and visitors.

4. The suspension of all schools and learning institutions.

5. All higher learning institutions and skill training centres will have to close.

6. All government and private premises must close except for essential services - water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal services, transport, maritime, fuel, gas, lubricants, broadcast, financial services, banking, healthcare, pharmacies, fire and rescue, prisons, ports, airports, security, defence, cleaning and supplying of food.

More details regarding the order are expected to be announced today. - Mkini