Kita Prihatin: A boost for fishermen and small traders

 

The Kita Prihatin programme will provide relief for the Bottom 40 per cent households, as well as workers and employers who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. -- Pix: NSTP/ ASYRAF HAMZAH

GEORGE TOWN: The allocations announced in the Kita Prihatin programme will provide relief for Bottom 40 per cent (B40) households, as well as workers and their employers who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among other things, Bantuan Prihatin Nasional 2.0 (BPN2.0), which was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday as part of Kita Prihatin, would assist many low-income households.

Seberang Prai Fishermen's Association (Bagan Ajam Unit) chairman Mazlan Abdul said the allocation was good news as many families were facing a challenging environment as the country was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with no signs of recovery.

"The package can be used by fishermen and small traders who lost their livelihood due to this pandemic.

"I welcome the announcement and hope it can ease the burden of those affected."

He said the livelihoods of most fishermen were affected due to the unpredictable weather conditions that forced them to stay home.

"The situation has affected them, especially those with large families."

He said small traders were also forced to discontinue their businesses due to a lack of capital.

Muhyiddin, in his announcement, said the additional cash aid under BPN2.0 involved an allocation of nearly RM7 billion.

The Small and Medium Enterprise Association Malaysia (Samenta) also welcomed the government's extension of the Wage Subsidy Programme to assist employers and employees affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Samenta president Koay Chiew Guan said the wage subsidy programme would help the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic.

"It is a good move from the federal government as the wage subsidy programme would boost the recovery of SMEs nationwide."

He urged the SMEs to apply for the wage subsidy when the application opens from Oct 1 to Dec 31 this year.

Yesterday, the government announced several initiatives and additional assistance under the RM10 billion Prihatin Supplementary Initiative Package (Kita Prihatin) to boost the economic recovery.

Muhyiddin said the Wage Subsidy Programme 2.0, estimated to involve RM2.4 billion, was expected to benefit 1.3 million workers.

He said the wage subsidy would be given to employers affected by the pandemic, namely companies facing a drop in revenues by at least 30 per cent compared with last year, since the Recovery Movement Control Order came into force.

The wage subsidy will be given for up to three months at a rate of RM600 per month for each employee, with a maximum of 200 employees per company. -- Bernama