-Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin’s Facebook Page
PETALING JAYA: When people resort to stealing a basic item like fish, then the situation is really dire, various stakeholders and experts told theSun.
“Indeed, it is very unfortunate that the economic situation has worsened to such an extent that some people steal food to feed their families,” said Universiti Malaya economics professor Datuk Dr Rajah Rasiah.
He said the movement control order and enhanced movement control order have been debilitating for small and informal companies and their employees, individuals who have been laid off, and those whose earnings have plummeted.
He added that government stimulus packages have been beneficial to some extent.
Experts on ways for government to address the issue of homelessness Pix for representational purpose only/Bernama
PETALING JAYA: While a lot has been done to ensure affordable housing for the population, many continue to fall through the cracks.
Apart from those who do not fit into any criterion that qualifies them for government-sponsored housing schemes, there are others who do not qualify for bank loans and, more recently, those who have lost everything as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving many of them without a roof over the head.
While homelessness is not starkly visible in Malaysia, it is a worsening problem. Data on the homeless is scarce, but the most up-to-date figures available from 2016 showed that at that time, there were 1,500 to 2,000 homeless individuals in Kuala Lumpur, compared with only 600 just two years before.
Experts suggest govt use part of development budgets to generate more aid initiatives thesundaily.my - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thesundaily.my Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Tough but needed 13 Jan 2021 / 10:59 H. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Jan 12 proclaimed an emergency that will be enforced up to August 1, 2021 as a proactive measure to contain the worsening COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. fotoBERNAMA (2021) COPYRIGHTS RESERVED
PETALING JAYA: Saving lives outweighs the negative impact of a state of emergency and the implementation of “Movement Control Order 2.0” in five states and three federal territories on the economy.
Economists see these measures as necessary despite the obvious repercussion to the economy.
“Health must be given greater weight. We must take greater precautions and steps to control the pandemic, including quickening the distribution of vaccines,” said Asia-Europe Institute at University of Malaya professor of economics, Datuk Dr Rajah Rasiah.