PETALING JAYA: A coalition of business groups have surprisingly come out in support of a stricter movement control order (MCO), saying that saving lives is more important than making profits.
However, the Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA) said that in order to support businesses through the period, these tightened restrictions must be accompanied by financial relief programmes.
“We are ready to bite the bullet for the sake of the nation and the people,” the group said in a statement, adding that in the “lives vs livelihoods” debate, lives must take precedence, particularly with daily case numbers spiking over the last few weeks.
“Extreme moments like this call for extreme actions. We can rebuild our economy, our financial institutions, our social standing – but we cannot afford to lose our lives.”
FMBA said the government must do its part to ensure the public health measures are highly effective, otherwise their business losses would be for nothing.
It urged the government to use the data collected since March to keep everyone informed of SOPs and ensure that restrictions take into account the fluid nature of the pandemic.
Financial aid would also be needed, the group said, such as streamlining company relief efforts under the international trade and industry ministry, offering soft loans and extending the wage subsidy programme until the end of 2021.
FMBA also said a freeze on recurring costs until next year would help non-essential businesses stay afloat, such as EPF, Socso and EIS contributions for employees, as well as discounts on electricity, telecommunications and broadband.
They called on the National Security Council and other relevant authorities to work with the private sector in drawing up tightened SOPs.
FMBA represents 262 business associations and chambers of commerce comprising of 950,000 companies from different sectors. - FMT
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