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Rightways: Prime Minister
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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday announced new measures to address growing public disquiet about the rising cost of living, including a cash handout for all adult citizens and a promise to lower fuel prices.
The announcement came ahead of a planned protest to be held in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, calling for Anwar to step down over escalating prices and a failure to deliver on promised reforms, among other concerns.
Anwar’s administration has carried out a number of measures to boost revenue and productivity this year, including a minimum wage hike, increased electricity tariffs on heavy power users, and new sales taxes on some imported fruits and luxury goods.
Anwar has said the moves were mainly targeted at large businesses and the wealthy, but critics have voiced fears that higher costs would eventually be passed down to consumers, including lower and middle income earners.
On Wednesday, Anwar said all adult Malaysians above 18 years old will receive a 100 ringgit ($23.67) one-off cash aid to be disbursed from Aug. 31.
The government will spend a total 15 billion ringgit ($3.55 billion) in cash aid in 2025, up from 13 billion ringgit originally allocated for the year, he said.
Police have said they expect between 10,000 and 15,000 people to attend the Saturday protest, which has been organized by opposition parties.
“I acknowledge the complaints and accept that the cost of living remains a challenge that must be addressed, even though we have announced various measures thus far,” Anwar said.
He added that further initiatives to aid those in poverty will be launched on Thursday.
Anwar said the government will also announce details on a long-awaited plan to remove blanket subsidies on the widely used RON95 transport fuel before the end of September.
Once the subsidy changes are implemented, Malaysians will see fuel prices at the pump drop to 1.99 ringgit per liter, compared to the current price of 2.05 ringgit, Anwar said.
Foreign nationals however will have to pay unsubsidized market prices for the fuel, he added.
Anwar also announced additional allocations for a government program aimed at increasing access to affordable goods and necessities, and vowed to improve other existing aid measures.
Malaysia has seen inflation fall this year, but worries persist over increasing prices of basic necessities like food.
Data released this week showed consumer prices rising 1.1% from a year earlier last month, but the costs of food and beverages were up at a faster pace of 2.1%.
Govt offering much-needed relief measures to ease living cost of rakyat
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians can look forward to a series of measures aimed at easing cost of living, including a one-off RM100 cash aid for those 18 years and above, and cheaper RON95 soon.
The cash assistance will be credited directly into their MyKad under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced these measures in a special announcement aired live on his social media platforms yesterday.
Offered in conjunction with National Day on Aug 31, he said the incentives were aimed at easing the rising cost of living and a token of appreciation for the people.
“With this announcement, the combined allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sara rises from RM13bil to RM15bil this year, marking the first time in history that cash aid is extended to all adult Malaysians,” he said.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this initiative would benefit 22 million Malaysians with an allocation of RM2bil.
This assistance, said Anwar, can be used from Aug 31 to Dec 31 this year, to buy essentials at over 4,100 outlets nationwide, including major supermarkets such as Mydin, Lotus’s, Econsave, 99Speedmart and participating grocers.
“It will be distributed on individual basis, not by household. So, for example, a household with a husband, wife and two adult children will receive a total of RM400,” he said.
Less is more: The price of RON95 petrol will soon be reduced to RM1.99 per litre under a targeted subsidy scheme with further details to be announced by the end of September. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
Anwar said the cost of living remained a pressing challenge that must be addressed wisely and urgently.
He added that while overall inflation in June 2025 dropped to 1.1%, the lowest in 52 months, food and beverage prices continued to rise above the national average.
“There may be some among us who are financially secure and do not need this aid. The government intends to reallocate any unspent funds by year-end towards assistance programmes for vulnerable groups next year,” he added.
In a separate statement, the Finance Ministry said collectively, households have the potential to receive a higher amount of Sara credit.
“For example, a family comprising a husband, wife, and two children aged 18 and above would receive a total of RM400, instead of just RM100,” it said.
The Sara credit can be used to buy over 90,000 essential items across 14 categories, including rice, egg, household cleaning products, medicine and school supplies.
“The RM100 credit is valid until its expiry date of Dec 31, 2025.
“Any unspent balance will be redistributed to vulnerable groups through a programme to be determined later,” said the ministry.
Sara complemented the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) initiative, which provided monthly credits specifically for purchasing basic necessities, it added.
The initiative was introduced by the government in its first Madani Budget in 2023 and currently benefits 5.4 million active recipients.
“Both initiatives are a token of appreciation from the government to all Malaysians who continue to support the nation’s fiscal reform agenda.
“They also reflect the Madani government’s commitment to redistributing the nation’s growing wealth, a result of bold fiscal reforms and more efficient economic management, guided by the Madani Economic Framework.
Anwar also highlighted that the Jualan Rahmah Madani initiative will be enhanced to assist the public in managing living costs.
The government, he added, will double the initiative’s allocation from RM300mil to RM600mil.
This funding will increase the frequency and expand the Jualan Rahmah Madani to include all 600 state constituencies nationwide, said Anwar, who is also Finance Minister.
“The additional allocation will, among others, increase the frequency and expand the number of locations nationwide, covering all 600 state constituencies,” he said.
Anwar also said the price of RON95 petrol will soon be reduced to RM1.99 per litre under a targeted subsidy scheme with further details to be announced by the end of September.
The government, he said, was committed to optimising national subsidy spending by ensuring that ordinary Malaysians continued to benefit from subsidies, while curbing leakage to those not eligible.
“Once the targeted RON95 subsidy is implemented, the government will reduce the price of RON95 petrol to RM1.99 per litre exclusively for Malaysian citizens, while foreign nationals will have to pay the unsubsidised market price.”
The initiative, he said, would benefit about 18 million motorists, including youths as young as 16 and gig economy workers.
“In 2023 and 2024 alone, subsidies for RON95 were estimated to cost nearly RM20bil annually.
“Even this year, despite a drop in global oil prices, the unsubsidised price of RON95 remains around RM2.50 per litre, significantly higher than the subsidised rate Malaysians currently enjoy,” he said.
He explained that the move aims to ensure that ordinary citizens continued receiving fuel subsidy while leakage to ineligible groups, including foreigners, are addressed.
To address the critical need for doctors in hospitals and government healthcare facilities, Anwar also announced that over 4,000 positions for government doctors, including contract medical officers, would be available this year.
He confirmed that 4,352 new doctors, including those on contract, would be hired this year.
According to projections released in 2023 by Dr Hirman Ismail, deputy director of the Health Ministry’s medical development division, the public healthcare sector would require 63,040 doctors by 2025 and 79,931 by 2030.
As of last year, there were nearly 52,000 doctors employed in government service.
GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia and China will explore the need to increase collaboration in research and education, besides the export of durians, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said during a closed-door meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that they also touched on regional matters such as an “Asean mechanism” for addressing pressing issues in the South China Sea.
“We discussed education since Malaysia hosts a substantial number of Chinese students at about 60,000, while there are about 7,000 Malaysian students studying in China.
“The Chinese minister also acknowledged the potential for further academic exchanges that could contribute to the growth and development of both countries,” he told reporters when met after the meeting here yesterday.
Anwar said despite sharing strong ties with China, Malaysia would strive to enhance normal diplomatic engagements through a strong, strategic partnership.
“Our strong relationship makes it easier for us to discuss other things because of the good ties we have,” he said, adding that he and Wang Yi touched on various aspects of cooperation and collaboration with a focus on investments, education and regional issues.
“Together with other Malaysian ministers, we also spoke on matters involving the strengthening of relationships on both sides.”
He also thanked Wang Yi for his role in facilitating significant Chinese investments in Malaysia, such as petrochemical giant Rongsheng and carmaker Geely, along with other key players.
The Chinese minister was in the country on a courtesy visit to meet Anwar.
Vibrant culture, lower cost, and ease of getting a visa among reasons more international students are flocking here.
MALAYSIANS are a friendly bunch and this, according to a recent global survey, is a pull factor for youths from other countries to study here.
The Global Student Experience Survey, conducted by the United Kingdom-based Tribal igraduate, found that overall, 89% of international students were satisfied with Malaysia, which is 2% more than the global benchmark.
In terms of making friends who are locals, 83% of those surveyed said they were satisfied. When it comes to making friends from other countries, 88% of the respondents said they were satisfied, while 85% said they were satisfied with how easy it was to make friends who were their countrymen.
These responses were all above the global average (see infographic), said Tribal igraduate Asia director Guy Perring.
“The friendliness aspect is a real positive for Malaysia,” he told StarEdu.
Perring
When international students go to the UK or Australia, they can sometimes find it difficult to make friends with the local British or Australians.
“Our data indicates that Malaysians are very friendly people and I think it’s because the country comprises a multicultural society,” he said, adding that the international students surveyed wanted to build a network and not just obtain a paper qualification from their places of study.
“They want to build a network as well as make friends for the future. Our survey contains 150 questions but in terms of friendliness, only three questions were asked.
“We asked about making friends. We asked if they were satisfied about making friends from Malaysia, from their home countries and from other countries.
“If they make friends from other countries, it shows they are in a good international university. If they are making friends from Malaysia, it shows they are integrating well into the society,” said Perring.
Of those surveyed, 84% described their courses as “value for money”.
The survey also showed that more international students were keen to study here with figures from the last quarter of 2022 showing that there was a 17% rise in the number of applications compared to the same period in 2021.
Perring said the nationalities most common in Malaysia – from China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nigeria, India, Yemen, Pakistan and Sudan – were drawn here by a combination of culture, cost and the relative ease of getting a visa.
“As well as the presence of overseas campuses from Australia and the UK, there is little doubt that the growth is likely to continue,” he said.
According to the survey report, there has been a sea of change in the student experience for both domestic and international students caused by investments in new campuses and facilities, as well as a greater desire to listen to the student voice and ensure student views are incorporated in long-term strategies and appropriate investments.
The rise in international student numbers is due to positive word of mouth, said Perring, adding that about 70% of the students surveyed said they would encourage their friends and family to study in Malaysia.
The three survey questions on friendliness, he said, can be used as a guide for institutions of higher learning to foster greater integration on campus and to provide the necessary social support in terms of social activities.
“While international students should be encouraged to make more local friends, they also need friends from their own home countries,” he said.
The survey was carried out from September to December 2022, with the next round scheduled to be conducted from October to December this year.
Over 120,000 international students and 69,400 domestic students from 146 universities across 17 countries took part in the survey.
Novie
In Malaysia, about 3,500 of the 12,441 international students studying here were involved in the survey.
Commenting on the findings, Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) chief executive officer Novie Tajuddin said the warm culture and hospitality of Malaysians make the country a great place to study.
EMGS, he added, is consistently working on promoting Malaysia and its tertiary education sector in untapped markets.
“To maintain the quality of our education providers, monthly engagement sessions with universities are held to ensure everything is okay.
“We also open the door and streamline Malaysia and various countries in terms of course accreditation. This will enable international students to study here seamlessly,” he said.
National Association of Private Educational Institutions (Napei) secretary-general Dr Teh Choon Jin said the country’s diversity creates acceptance and inclusivity, which make international students feel welcome.
Teh
“Malaysia, with our diverse culture and society, has a friendly environment so it is not surprising that international students rate us higher than other frontier markets known predominantly for being destinations for international students,” he said.
He said Malaysian universities that are very successful in attracting international students put great emphasis on enriching students’ experience and ensuring high student satisfaction.
Outside of the classroom, multicultural activities also take place on campus, he added.
With support from the universities, cultural activities and respective national days are celebrated on campus as part of student activities throughout the year, he said.
“Such events usually see a great number of students from different nationalities participating. When we see students of diverse backgrounds gaining an understanding of the many cultures that are different from theirs, it is evident that we have created a successful integration model.
“Our local students also benefit from the enriching learning experience, where they have friends from different countries which would help them in their future careers,” he said.
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) chief executive officer Datuk Parmjit Singh said apart from a harmonious learning and living environment on campus, students benefit strongly through their engagement with those from various cultural backgrounds, as this provides them with perspectives on how people from different cultures respond to situations and how to communicate effectively with each other.
Parmjit
He said the varsity’s strategy has always been to achieve strong and meaningful integration rather than assimilation.
“Students are encouraged to maintain and showcase their rich cultural heritage while at the same time learning about other cultures and sharing their unique cultural identities. “To make this happen, mental and cultural barriers have to be broken from day one,” he added.
Parmjit said throughout the international students’ time at APU, they are encouraged to appreciate their own cultures, tolerate other cultures and learn from each other.
“These broaden their horizons and ensure that our students graduate as well-equipped global citizens who are capable of adapting to different challenges within the global business environment,” he explained.
APU, with its student body of over 130 nationalities, took part in the Global Student Experience Survey.
Almost half of the students at APU are international students.
Commenting on the survey, Parmjit said both the varsity’s Malaysian and international students experience a diverse cultural mix as global citizens and create long-lasting friendships in Malaysia.
“On the whole, all of APU’s students, regardless of nationality, are very positive about their multicultural experience.
“International students view their Malaysian counterparts to be very friendly and most of our students develop lifetime relationships across the continents that last well beyond graduation.
“APU has always believed in bringing together as many communities of international students as possible from all around the world, without allowing any one country to dominate,” he said.
'I find the people in Malaysia to be generally friendly and welcoming. They often display warm hospitality towards international students, which has made my stay here more enjoyable. The locals are open-minded and accepting of different cultures, making it easier for me to connect and build friendships with them. The country has a diverse and vibrant culture, so it is not at all difficult for me to adapt. I really feel at home here. Additionally, the affordable cost of living and tuition fees compared to other countries allows me to pursue quality education without breaking the bank. While studying in Malaysia has been a rewarding experience overall, I did face some challenges. Language barriers have always existed, especially considering I’m not well-versed in the local language. This made it difficult to get along with some of my coursemates and do classroom activities, and interact with the staff. '– Quazi Isha Nafisa, 24, Bangladesh
'I’ve been here for four years and while the people are friendly, the language barrier is sometimes an obstacle for me to get along with people. The thing that first attracted me to study here is the fact that it has universities that are globally well ranked, and on top of that, they are affordable compared to universities in other countries with the same rankings. As a Muslim, I don’t face many challenges in Malaysia. I find many similarities between Malaysia and my home country. It is very convenient living here.' – Omar Elmanzalawy, 22, Egypt
'Malaysians are known for their warm hospitality and open-mindedness, which have made it easier for me to adjust to this new environment. Additionally, the university’s diverse student community has provided me with the chance to meet people from all over the world, and we’ve formed lasting friendships. The people around me have also been incredibly friendly and welcoming.' – Manaal Kurrumbacus, 21, Mauritius
'When I came to Malaysia, I spoke zero English. I thought I would feel like a stranger and everyone would judge me or not bother befriending me. However, it was completely the opposite. They made me feel like my English proficiency was not a barrier to forming friendships. I was treated like an old friend they’d known forever. Although they all spoke better English than me, it was not an issue to them. Instead, they would teach me English words. Each and every one of them acted like a teacher who is a friend. I will never forget how much it helped me to gain my confidence and build my self-esteem. Malaysians are very welcoming and kind. Most of the people here, be they local or from other countries, bring such a wonderful energy to the conversations we have. Everyone is trying to enjoy their time on campus and get the best out of the experience.' – Mohammed Adel Mohammed Ba Hamid, 22, Yemen
– BernamaAll eyes and ears: Anwar chairing the first special Cabinet meeting of the Unity Government at Perdana Putra.
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PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not receive any salary, both as Prime Minister and as Finance Minister, he has clarified.
Cabinet ministers have also agreed to a 20% pay cut until Malaysia reaches economic recovery, he said.
Rubbishing talk that he would be paid as Finance Minister although he had declined the salary for the top job, Anwar announced he would not be taking any form of government salary.
This was in line with his promise made during the election campaign, he said.
During the campaign, Anwar had said he would not take a salary if he was appointed as prime minister because the people themselves were struggling to cope with rising costs.
“Some people say I’m not taking the Prime Minister’s salary because I am the Finance Minister. That’s not true. There is only one salary,” he said, laughing off such claims during a press conference here yesterday.
ALSO READ:Budget to be enhanced with MOF, Cabinet views
The Members of Parliament Act (Act 347) only allows one salary for ministers, deputy ministers or political secretaries.
On the Cabinet ministers’ pay cut, he said this was their way of acknowledging the tough times faced by the people.
“The pay cut will be implemented as long as Malaysia continues to recover economically.
“It shows the ministers are also concerned about the livelihood of the public,” he said.
Asked if the pay cut would be carried out throughout the government’s five-year tenure, he simply said that it could range from three to five years, depending on the situation.
Cabinet to take 20% pay cut
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim thanks his ministers “for their willingness to make some sacrifices” and said this was to show the government’s concern for Malaysians.
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has named Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi from Barisan Nasional and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as Deputy Prime Ministers in his Cabinet line-up.
Anwar will also be the Finance Minister, and Fadillah will also be the Plantations and Commodities Minister.
The
Pakatan-led unity government will see Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail helming the Home Ministry, while Anthony Loke will be the new
Transport Minister.
Dr Zaliha Mustafa will be the new Health Minister.
The other names and positions in the newly-formed Cabinet line-up are:
Economy – Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli
Local Government – Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming
Defence – Rembau MP Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan
Works – Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi
Home – PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail
Digital Communications: Fahmi Fadzil
International Trade and Industry – Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz
Higher Education – Kota Tinggi MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Science and Technology – Tg Malim MP Chang Lih Kang
Women, Family, and Community Development – Batang Sadong MP Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living – Pulai MP Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub
Law and Institutional Reforms (PM’s Department) – Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change – Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad
Foreign Affairs – Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives - Datuk Ewon Benedick
Tourism - Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing
Education - Fadhlina Sidek
Unity - Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang
Religous Affairs - Datuk Seri Mohd Na’im Mokhtar
Youth and Sports - Hannah Yeoh
Health Minister: Dr Zaliha Mustafa
Sabah and Sarawak (PM's Department) - Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali
PETALING JAYA: An RM40bil aid package has been announced for the people to face economic challenges during the lockdown.
In a special address on Monday (May 31), Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said a number of initiatives would be implemented under the "Program Strategik Memperkasa Rakyat dan Ekonomi Tambahan" (Pemerkasa Plus).
It is anchored on three main objectives namely – (i) increasing public healthcare capacity, (ii) continuing rakyat welfare agenda, and (iii) supporting business continuity.
Muhyiddin said that the government had launched several economic stimulus packages worth RM340bil previously.
Here are the salient points of the Pemerkasa Plus package:
Objective one: Increasing public healthcare capacity
– RM450mil allocation to increase bed and ICU capacity for hospitals under the Health Ministry, teaching hospitals and ATM hospitals. Outsourcing to private hospitals will also be done.
– RM550mil to support Covid-19 related expenses by various agencies, including medicines, reagents, and contract workers' appointments.
– Increasing the service period for more than 14,000 contract medical officers and nurses until 2022. The government will also re-appoint over 500 healthcare personnel due to retire this year.
Objective two: Continuing the welfare agenda for the people
– RM2.1bil for the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat cash aid. Households earning below RM2,500 will receive RM500; households earning between RM2,501 and RM5,000, will receive RM300. Malaysians who are single will get RM100. This additional aid will be credited to the recipients' account by June.
– All B40 groups, those who lost their jobs as well as small-medium enterprises not allowed to operate during the movement control order, are given the option of automatic approval of bank moratorium for three months or a 50% reduction in loan repayment for six months. It will start in June and is expected to benefit more than five million borrowers with funds amounting to RM30bil.
– RM1bil for the Bus and Taxi Hire Purchase Rehabilitation Scheme to allow eligible bus and taxi operators to get a loan moratorium of up to 12 months and extend the loan period of up to 36 months.
– A 30% discount on the rental of business premises will be given for the month of May to July 2021 for Mara entrepreneurs affected by the economic closure.
– RM1.5bil for the Wage Subsidy Programme under Socso for all affected economic sectors, with a limit of 500 employees per application. Expected to benefit are 2.5 million employees and more than 200,000 employers.
– Employers registered with Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad will be given a levy payment exemption for one month in June 2021.
Objective three: Supporting business continuity
– Extra RM500 payout for the Prihatin Special Grant (GKP), bumping up the total payout to RM1,500.
– RM1.5bil allocation for businesses who wish to get microcredit for working capital, with financing rates as low as 3%.
– Extra RM2bil in the Targeted Relief and Recovery Facility for affected SMEs.
– One-off aid of RM500 to tourist drivers, taxi drivers, bus drivers and e-hailing drivers.
– Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to consider postponing penalties to year 2022.
– Extension of electricity bill discounts to affected sectors. Hoteliers, tourist agencies, shopping malls, convention centres, theme parks, local airlines can receive 10% electricity discounts for extra three months from July to September.
– Special tax cuts to premises owners who offer at least 30% rental discounts for six more months until Dec 31.
– The Home Ownership Campaign (HOC), which ended May 31, has been extended until 31 December 2021.
> The Sales and Services Tax (SST) exemption for imported passenger vehicles is extended until Dec 31.
Here is the text of the Prime Minister's speech in Bahasa Melayu in full:
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh dan Salam Sejahtera,
Saudara dan saudari, rakyat Malaysia yang saya kasihi,
Sepertimana yang telah diumumkan, Kerajaan akan melaksanakan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan yang lebih ketat atau total lockdown untuk tempoh dua minggu bermula esok 1 Jun hingga 14 Jun 2021. Semua sektor sosial dan ekonomi ditutup kecuali sektor-sektor yang dikategorikan sebagai sektor ekonomi dan perkhidmatan perlu.
Tindakan ini diambil setelah trend peningkatan kes-kes COVID-19 menunjukkan kenaikan yang amat mendadak dengan mencatat kes-kes kematian yang tinggi setiap hari. Sekiranya tindakan drastik tidak diambil dengan kadar segera, dikhuatiri sistem kesihatan di negara kita akan runtuh dan kita akan berhadapan dengan satu malapetaka yang lebih besar.
3. Sepertimana yang saya telah tegaskan sebelum ini, penutupan sektor-sektor ekonomi akan memberi kesan yang amat besar kepada ekonomi negara dan kehidupan rakyat. Saya ingin berterus-terang bahawa kerajaan mempunyai ruang fiskal yang amat terhad untuk berbelanja pada masa ini.
4. Namun atas dasar keprihatinan terhadap kebajikan rakyat, Kerajaan akan berusaha sedaya upaya untuk memastikan wujud keseimbangan antara lives and livelihood iaitu keperluan untuk melindungi nyawa, dan menjamin kesejahteraan rakyat termasuk peluang saudara-saudari mencari nafkah untuk keluarga tersayang sepanjang tempoh PKP ini.
5. Semenjak COVID-19 melanda negara, Kerajaan telahpun melaksanakan pelbagai pakej bantuan dan rangsangan ekonomi berjumlah 340 bilion ringgit. Sehingga kini, ia telah memanfaatkan lebih 20 juta ahli isi rumah serta lebih dari 2 juta perniagaan dengan suntikan ekonomi melebihi 200 bilion ringgit. Justeru, terdapat lebih dari 100 bilion ringgit lagi daripada nilai pakej rangsangan untuk disalurkan sepanjang tahun ini. Sebagai tambahan, pakej tersebut dilengkapi oleh inisiatif Belanjawan 2021 berjumlah 322.5 bilion ringgit
6. Dengan suntikan fiskal dan langkah yang telah diumumkan, kita dapat lihat ekonomi semakin pulih, menggambarkan hasil dan impak positif untuk terus melonjakkan pertumbuhan ekonomi, menyokong perniagaan dan menyediakan bantuan kepada rakyat dan sektor ekonomi yang terkesan. Pertumbuhan KDNK pada bulan Mac tahun ini telah melonjak sebanyak 6.0%, nilai tertinggi semenjak pandemik COVID-19 melanda negara.
PROGRAM STRATEGIK MEMPERKASA RAKYAT DAN EKONOMI TAMBAHAN (PEMERKASA+)
Saudara-saudari yang saya kasihi sekalian,
7. Maka sepertimana yang dijanjikan, hari ini saya ingin mengumumkan program bantuan PEMERKASA Tambahan atau PEMERKASA Plus sebagai inisiatif terbaharu Kerajaan untuk membantu meredakan cabaran yang dihadapi, terutamanya ekoran pelaksanaan PKP pada masa ini.
8. Nilai keseluruhan program PEMERKASA Plus adalah berjumlah 40 bilion ringgit, di mana suntikan langsung fiskal Kerajaan sebanyak 5 bilion ringgit. Langkah baharu PEMERKASA Plus akan dilaksanakan berlandaskan 3 matlamat utama seperti berikut:
MATLAMAT PERTAMA: MEMPERTINGKATKAN KAPASITI KESIHATAN AWAM
Tuan-tuan Puan-puan sekalian,
9. Kerajaanbakan memastikan kapasiti kesihatan awam sentiasa diberi keutamaan. Seperti kenyataan saya sebelum ini, kita akan beralih ke fasa-fasa PKP secara berperingkat berdasarkan penilaian risiko oleh Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) mengambil kira antara lain jumlah kes COVID serta penggunaan kapasiti hospital serta ICU.
10. Sehubungan itu, Kerajaan bersetuju untuk menambah peruntukan 1 bilion ringgit bagi meningkatkan kapasiti dan memperkukuhkan kesihatan awam. Pertambahan peruntukan ini adalah komitmen Kerajaan untuk memastikan sistem kesihatan tidak akan runtuh dan beroperasi dengan berkesan. Maka, langkah-langkah berikut akan diberi perhatian:
Pertama: memperuntukkan 450 juta ringgit bagi meningkatkan kapasiti katil dan peralatan ICU bagi rawatan COVID-19, bukan sahaja di Hospital seliaan KKM tetapi juga di Hospital Pengajar Universiti Awam seperti di UiTM, UPM dan UKM serta melalui hospital medan ATM seperti di Sabah dan Sarawak. Selain itu, penyumberan luar juga akan dilaksanakan kepada hospital swasta. Jumlah ini termasuk 200 juta ringgit yang diumumkan oleh YB Menteri Kewangan pada 22 Mei baru-baru ini;
Kedua: memperuntukkan 550 juta ringgit untuk menampung keperluan perbelanjaan berkaitan COVID-19 pelbagai agensi antaranya pertambahan kos operasi dan pengurusan dalam menangani krisis kesihatan COVID termasuk ubat, reagen untuk saringan dan lantikan pegawai secara kontrak. Ini juga termasuk kos pengoperasian Pusat Kuarantin dan Rawatan COVID-19 atau PKRC di MAEPS dan di peringkat negeri; dan
Ketiga: melanjutkan tempoh perkhidmatan lebih 14,000 pegawai perubatan dan jururawat lantikan kontrak sedia ada sehingga tahun 2022. Sebagai tambahan, kerajaan juga akan melantik semula lebih 500 petugas kesihatan yang bersara wajib tahun ini secara kontrak.
11. Saya juga telah mengarahkan YB Menteri MOSTI untuk mempercepatkan pemberian vaksin melalui Program Imunisasi COVID-19 Kebangsaan atau PICK. Saya dimaklumkan, pemberian dos pada bulan Mei telahpun mencapai purata 80,000 dos sehari.
12. Insha-Allah, menjelang akhir Jun nanti, kita mampu mencapai sasaran 150,000 dos sehari melalui penambahan terimaan vaksin dari syarikat pengeluar, penambahan pusat-pusat pemberian vaksin, memperkenalkan kaedah pemberian secara pandu lalu dan penambahan anggota sukarelawan. Berdasarkan unjuran, pelaksanaan PICK secara keseluruhan disasarkan untuk selesai menjelang bulan Disember 2021 dengan negeri berkepadatan penduduk tinggi seperti Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor dan Pulau Pinang menjelang Oktober.
13. Saya merayu, supaya rakyat yang telah mendapat tempahan vaksin untuk hadir di mana-mana pusat pemberian vaksin yang ditetapkan. Adalah menjadi tanggungjawab kita bersama untuk memastikan negara mencapai imuniti kelompok menjelang akhir tahun ini.
14. Saya juga mendengar keluhan rakyat, terutamanya warga emas dan mereka yang tinggal jauh yang mengalami kesukaran untuk hadir ke PPV. Oleh itu, saya telah mengarahkan supaya aset-aset Kerajaan seperti bas, van dan kenderaan pool digerakkan bagi tujuan ini. Saya amat mengalu-alukan kerjasama pihak swasta, NGO dan pertubuhan masyarakat awam untuk turut menggiatkan usaha ini.
MATLAMAT KEDUA: MENERUSKAN AGENDA PRIHATIN RAKYAT
Saudara dan saudari yang saya kasihi sekalian,
15. Bagi Matlamat Kedua, Kerajaan akan terus mengutamakan agenda prihatin rakyat. Ini terutamanya bagi memastikan kesejahteraan dan kelangsungan hidup golongan rentan dan pekerja yang bergantung kepada upah harian dapat terus dibantu. Tidak dinafikan, mereka inilah antara yang paling terkesan susulan penguatkuasaan PKP ini.
16. Sehubungan itu, Kerajaan bersetuju untuk memperuntukkan 2.1 bilion ringgit bagi menambah kadar program Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat atau BPR. Bagi kategori isi rumah yang berpendapatan di bawah 2,500 ringgit, mereka akan menerima kadar BPR tambahan sebanyak 500 ringgit dan isi rumah berpendapatan antara 2,501 hingga 5,000, akan menerima kadar sebanyak 300 ringgit. Golongan bujang pula akan menerima 100 ringgit.
17. BPR tambahan ini akan mula dimasukkan ke akaun penerima pada hujung bulan Jun nanti. Bayaran ini merupakan tambahan kepada fasa bayaran terakhir BPR bulan September kelak sebanyak 2.4 bilion ringgit.
18. Seterusnya, saya juga mendengar permintaan rakyat supaya Kerajaan menimbang semula pemberian moratorium.
19. Sehubungan itu, hasil perbincangan bersama Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), industri perbankan memberi jaminan dan komitmen penuh untuk terus memberikan bantuan pembayaran balik pinjaman dan moratorium. Oleh itu, bagi semua golongan B40 dan rakyat yang terjejas ekoran kehilangan pekerjaan serta perusahaan mikro dan PKS yang tidak dibenarkan beroperasi dalam tempoh PKP, anda diberi pilihan untuk mendapatkan kelulusan moratorium secara automatik selama 3 bulan atau boleh memilih untuk mendapatkan pengurangan bayaran balik secara ansuran sebanyak 50% selama tempoh 6 bulan.
20. Inisiatif ini akan dilaksanakan segera pada bulan Jun yang dijangka memanfaatkan lebih dari 5 juta peminjam dengan nilai sehingga 30 bilion ringgit. Insha-Allah, industri perbankan akan memberikan maklumat lebih terperinci berhubung perkara ini mulai esok. Saya berharap, pengumuman moratorium automatik ini dapat memberi sedikit kelegaan kepada peminjam institusi perbankan. Para peminjam hanya perlu menghubungi bank masing-masing untuk mendapat manfaat bantuan ini.
21. Kerajaan juga akan melancarkan Skim Rehabilitasi Sewa Beli Bas dan Teksi pada minggu ini dengan nilai peruntukan 1 bilion ringgit. Melalui skim ini, pengusaha bas dan teksi yang layak boleh mendapatkan moratorium pinjaman sehingga 12 bulan dan melanjutkan tempoh pinjaman sehingga 36 bulan.
22. Saya menyarankan supaya agensi dan syarikat Kerajaan menawarkan penangguhan bayaran balik pinjaman serta diskaun sewa premis perniagaan. Pihak MARA akan meneruskan program MARA PRIHATIN Peace of Mind yang dibuka sehingga 31 Julai 2021. Peminjam boleh memohon secara dalam talian untuk membuat penjadualan semula bayaran balik pinjaman pelajaran atau moratorium. Bagi usahawan MARA yang terkesan akibat penutupan ekonomi, pemberian diskaun 30% ke atas sewaan premis perniagaan akan diberi untuk bulan Mei sehingga Julai 2021.
23. Seterusnya adalah berkaitan pekerjaan. Tidak dinafikan, pelaksanaan PKP 3.0 akan memberi kesan kepada sebilangan besar rakyat terutama risiko kehilangan pekerjaan dan pengurangan pendapatan akibat penutupan kebanyakan sektor ekonomi.
24. Maka, Kerajaan bersetuju untuk melanjutkan Program Subsidi Upah di bawah PERKESO selama 1 bulan bagi semua sektor ekonomi yang terkesan dengan kos 1.5 bilion ringgit dengan had 500 pekerja bagi setiap permohonan, ditanggung oleh Kerajaan. Adalah dijangkakan 2.5 juta pekerja dan lebih 200 ribu majikan akan mendapat manfaat.
25. Selain itu, majikan yang berdaftar dengan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad akan diberikan pengecualian pembayaran levi selama satu bulan pada bulan Jun 2021. Pada masa yang sama, pekerja juga boleh meningkatkan pengetahuan dan kemahiran melalui portal pembelajaran e-LATiH secara percuma yang melibatkan lebih 400 modul dan kursus kemahiran.
MATLAMAT KETIGA: MENYOKONG KELANGSUNGAN PERNIAGAAN
Saudara dan saudari yang saya kasihi sekalian,
26. Seterusnya bagi Matlamat Ketiga, Kerajaan akan terus membantu untuk memastikan kelangsungan perniagaan, khususnya kepada PKS dalam menguruskan aliran tunai mereka. Salah satu inisiatif yang telah diperkenalkan oleh Kerajaan adalah melalui pemberian Geran Khas Prihatin atau GKP. Sehubungan itu, sukacita diumumkan kadar GKP akan ditambah sebanyak 500 ringgit kepada 1,500 ringgit. Ini bermakna, hampir 1 juta PKS dan perusahaan mikro akan menerima 1,000 ringgit pada pertengahan bulan Jun dan 500 ringgit lagi akan disalurkan pada bulan Julai.
27. Saya juga ingin tegaskan, berdasarkan SOP terbaharu yang diumumkan, Kerajaan masih membenarkan operasi jual-beli peniaga kecil, penjaja jalanan dan termasuk perusahaan mikro. Oleh itu, sekiranya para peniaga ingin mendapatkan pembiayaan mikro kredit sebagai modal kerja, sebanyak 1.5 bilion ringgit disediakan bagi sepanjang tahun ini oleh BSN, TEKUN, MARA, SME Corp. dan YAPEIM dengan kadar pembiayaan serendah 3%.
28. Selain itu, bagi membantu aliran tunai syarikat dan PKS, institusi perbankan akan terus menawarkan kemudahan pembiayaan dan pinjaman. Dana institusi perbankan telah dimantapkan lagi melalui pelbagai fasiliti pinjaman mudah PKS pembiayaan BNM yang masih berbaki 5 bilion ringgit. Untuk menyokong lagi PKS, BNM akan menambah fasiliti Kemudahan Bantuan dan Pemulihan Bersasar untuk PKS terjejas sebanyak 2 bilion ringgit. Dengan itu, jumlah dana pinjaman untuk PKS dengan kadar pinjaman serendah 3.5% yang masih tersedia adalah sebanyak 7 bilion ringgit.
29. Selain itu, tidak dinafikan semasa tempoh PKP ini, ia turut memberi kesan kepada pemandu teksi, kereta sewa dan bas sekolah. Bagi mengurangkan beban mereka, Kerajaan bersetuju memberi Bantuan Khas secara one-off sebanyak 500 ringgit kepada 17 ribu pemandu pelancong, 40 ribu pemandu teksi, 11 ribu pemandu bas sekolah, 4 ribu bas persiaran dan 62 ribu pemandu kereta sewa dan e-hailing. Bantuan ini yang berjumlah RM68 juta akan disalurkan kepada penerima yang berdaftar pada bulan Julai.
30. Selain itu, sebagai salah satu usaha mengurangkan beban perniagaan, Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri akan mempertimbangkan rayuan pengenaan penalti dan menangguhkan pembayaran penalti ke tahun 2022 serta menyediakan penjadualan semula bayaran cukai tertunggak bagi pembayar cukai dan perniagaan yang terjejas.
31. Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia juga bersetuju untuk memperkenalkan semula pelanjutan untuk penghantaran penyata kewangan, pelaksanaan mesyuarat tahunan bagi syarikat awam yang tersenarai di Bursa Malaysia dan moratorium denda bagi penghantaran lambat dokumen berkanun. SSM juga akan mengecualikan bayaran lewat untuk membaharui lesen perniagaan sehingga 31 Disember 2021 bagi PKS mikro serta perniagaan milikan tunggal dan perkongsian.
32. Di samping itu, Akta Langkah Sementara bagi Mengurangkan Kesan Penyakit COVID-19 atau Akta 829 akan ditambahbaik bagi membantu individu dan perniagaan yang terkesan. Perlindungan berkaitan ketidakupayaan untuk melaksanakan obligasi kontrak akan dilanjutkan tempoh kuatkuasa sehingga 31 Disember 2021. Sehubungan ini, Kerajaan menyediakan bantuan perkhidmatan pengantaraan atau mediation secara percuma melalui Pusat Mediasi COVID kepada semua individu atau perniagaan tanpa mengira latar belakang.
33. Seterusnya, Kerajaan akan melanjutkan pemberian diskaun bil elektrik kepada sektor yang terjejas. Sehubungan itu, pengendali hotel, agensi pengembaraan dan pelancongan, premis dan kompleks membeli belah, pusat-pusat konvensyen, taman tema dan pejabat syarikat penerbangan tempatan layak menerima diskaun bil elektrik sebanyak 10% selama 3 bulan tambahan antara bulan Julai hingga September 2021.
34. Kerajaan juga bersetuju memberi potongan khas kepada pemilik bangunan dan ruang perniagaan yang menawarkan pengurangan sewa premis perniagaan kepada PKS dan bukan PKS untuk tempoh 6 bulan lagi sehingga 31 Disember 2021 bagi pengurangan sewa sekurang-kurangnya 30% daripada kadar sewa semasa. Selain itu, pelanjutan sehingga 31 Disember 2021 bagi pengecualian cukai pelancongan dan cukai perkhidmatan ke atas penginapan yang disediakan oleh pengendali hotel masih berterusan.
35. Semasa pembentangan pakej PENJANA pada Jun 2020, Kerajaan telah mengumumkan pengecualian duti setem Kempen Pemilikan Rumah atau HOC yang akan berakhir pada hari ini, 31 Mei. Sukacita diumumkan Kerajaan bersetuju melanjutkan pengecualian duti setem HOC tersebut sehingga 31 Disember 2021.
36. Kerajaan juga bersetuju melanjutkan pengecualian cukai jualan ke atas kenderaan penumpang CKD dan CBU import yang sebelum ini diumumkan di bawah inisiatif PENJANA mulai 1 Julai 2021 hingga 31 Disember 2021.
Saudara dan saudari yang dikasihi sekalian,
37. Ingin saya tekankan sekali lagi, selain inisiatif yang diumumkan pada malam ini, masih terdapat pelbagai program pakej rangsangan bernilai lebih daripada 100 bilion ringgit yang masih dalam pelaksanaan. Dari segi perbelanjaan langsung daripada Kerajaan, Kumpulan Wang COVID-19 telah diluluskan dengan siling 65 bilion ringgit. Sebanyak 38 bilion ringgit telah dibelanjakan pada tahun 2020 dan sehingga April 2021, 10 bilion ringgit lagi telah disalurkan. Baki sebanyak 17 bilion ringgit akan dibelanjakan pada tempoh yang terdekat. Antara inisiatif dan program ini termasuklah:
Pertama: BPR Fasa 2 yang baharu sahaja dilaksanakan awal Mei lepas dengan peruntukan sebanyak 2.7 bilion ringgit yang telah disalurkan kepada 8.4 juta penerima dengan bayaran Fasa 3 bernilai 2.4 bilion ringgit dijadualkan untuk bulan September;
Kedua: Program subsidi upah, insentif penggajian serta program latihan untuk membantu menjamin pekerjaan sedia ada serta menggalakkan penyediaan pekerjaan baharu dengan sasaran 500,000 untuk tahun ini;
Ketiga: Pelaksanaan projek-projek kecil dengan peruntukan lebih 2 bilion ringgit untuk dibelanjakan memanfaatkan kontraktor kelas G1 hingga G4 bagi pembaikan infrastruktur dan fasiliti awam;
Keempat: Program Jaringan Prihatin bernilai 2 bilion ringgit yang juga dilancarkan pada awal Mei lalu bagi membantu 8.4 juta penerima BPR untuk melanggan perkhidmatan telekomunikasi atau mendapatkan peranti telefon mudah alih; dan
Kelima: Program e-Belia yang akan dibuka pendaftaran mulai esok, 1 Jun 2021 bagi membolehkan 2 juta belia dan pelajar IPT yang layak untuk mendapatkan kredit bernilai 150 ringgit dari penyedia perkhidmatan e-tunai.
PENUTUP
Saudara-saudari yang dikasihi sekalian,
38. Inilah antara usaha Kerajaan sebagai meneruskan agenda prihatin rakyat dan komitmen Kerajaan dalam mengurus krisis yang melanda kini. Saya amat menghargai dan berterima kasih kepada semua pihak yang kekal teguh bersama-sama Kerajaan tanpa mengira kawan atau lawan dalam menghadapi situasi yang tidak pernah kita jangkakan ini.
39. Dalam mencapai matlamat ini, Kerajaan akan terus mengutamakan pendekatan whole-of-government dan whole-of-society dalam memerangi pandemik COVID-19. Ini merujuk usaha mengoptimumkan seluruh tenaga kerja kesihatan dan peranan frontliners yang bertindak di lapangan serta peranan seluruh rakyat Malaysia yang turut sama membantu untuk memutuskan rantaian COVID-19 ini.
40. Sebagai penutup kepada inisiatif PEMERKASA+ ini, sepertimana yang telah diamalkan semasa PKP pertama tahun lalu, saya ingin memaklumkan tanda sokongan barisan Menteri dan Timbalan Menteri dengan tidak mengambil gaji selama 3 bulan mulai Jun 2021. Gaji yang tidak diambil ini akan disumbangkan ke dalam Akaun Amanah Bencana sebagai membiayai perbelanjaan berkaitan COVID-19.
Saudara dan saudari yang saya kasihi sekalian,
41. Keputusan untuk melaksanakan lockdown ini adalah satu keputusan yang sukar tetapi terpaksa dibuat. Samada lockdown yang dilaksanakan ini akan berjaya atau tidak semuanya terserah kepada saudara dan saudari serta ketentuan Ilahi. Kerajaan telah menutup hampir semua sektor ekonomi dan sosial untuk mengurangkan pergerakan rakyat dan memutuskan rantaian jangkitan COVID-19.
42. Saudara dan saudari dikehendaki duduk di rumah – stay at home – saya ulangi stay at home – dan sentiasa patuh kepada SOP. Jika saudara dan saudari gagal mematuhi arahan ini, maka kita semua akan gagal, na'uzubillah.
43. Kepada para frontliners, bertabahlah. Saya tahu anda semua penat berperang melawan virus ini sejak lebih setahun yang lalu. Saya ingin ulangi penghargaan kerajaan yang tidak terhingga atas segala jasa dan pengorbanan para frontliners kita di seluruh negara. Saya doakan agar anda semua terus diberikan kekuatan oleh Allah s.w.t. untuk mengharungi cabaran dan dugaan yang amat besar ini.
44. Saya juga mendoakan agar semua pesakit yang sedang bertarung melawan COVID-19 ini diberikan kesembuhan segera, amin ya rabbal alamin. Saya dengan penuh dukacitanya mengucapkan takziah kepada seluruh ahli keluarga mangsa COVID-19 yang telah meninggal dunia. Mudah-mudahan anda semua tabah menghadapi dugaan yang amat berat ini.
45. Marilah kita bersama-sama panjatkan doa ke hadrat Allah s.w.t. mudah-mudahan wabak yang sedang melanda negara kita dan seluruh dunia pada masa ini segera berakhir.
Wabillahi al-taufik walhidayah wassalamu'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
State Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood
Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that her ministry
has given the green light to those centres that have applied.
“For other childcare centres, however, if there is a need, they must
apply to the childhood division of the ministry before they are allowed
to accept the children of essential workers,” Fatimah said in a
statement.
Less is more: The price of RON95 petrol will soon be reduced to RM1.99 per litre under a targeted subsidy scheme with further details to be announced by the end of September. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
