Many businesses may close without govt help fotoBERNAMA (2021) Copyrights Reserved
PETALING JAYA: Many businesses that have been major drivers of economic growth may now go under unless help from the government arrives soon.
They are the retail, hospitality, food and beverage sectors, which also happen to be the worst-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent economic fallout.
The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) warned that most hotels will be forced to close down and lay off staff if the government does not intervene, while the Malaysian Retail Chain Association (MRCA) fears that the second movement control order (MCO 2.0) may just be the final nail in the coffin for small businesses such as beauty salons, spas, theme parks and cinemas.
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Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan
PETALING JAYA: Business industry players have called on the government not to resort to a full-scale lockdown to curb the rising Covid-19 cases but to look at targeted approaches such as tightening the SOP.
Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan, responding to talk of a potential lockdown, said a movement control order similar to the one in March last year would do more harm than good.
“The number of new infections is a real cause of concern among employers, employees and members of the public.
“There are right steps to handle the situation, but these should not include the MCO because of the negative impact of such a lockdown on the economy.
Keeping tabs: A health worker taking a nasal swab from a foreign worker in Kuala Lumpur. AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PETALING JAYA: As enforcement on the mandatory Covid-19 screening for foreign workers commenced on New Year’s Day, employers are calling on the government to consider periodic screening for both local and foreign workers owing to the increasing number of daily cases.
Small-Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia president Datuk Michael Kang said some members that had begun testing their foreign workers some time ago found more Malaysian staff were contracting the virus.
“For SMEs that hire foreign workers, it is mandatory for them to contribute to Socso.
PETALING JAYA: Business groups and consumers are thankful that electricity tariffs are being kept at 39.45 sen per kilowatt hour (kWh), saying that it will lighten their burden as the nation continues to cope with challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
SME Association of Malaysia president Datuk Michael Kang said the decision would help small and medium enterprises get back on their feet after struggling to keep businesses afloat throughout the year.
“It would definitely be a big help for SMEs to rebuild their business after a tough year, ” he said.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) also welcomed the decision saying it would be beneficial for households especially those in the lower income categories.