RESEARCHER: PEMERKASA PLUS PROVIDES SAFETY NET FOR PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 -- The PEMERKASA Plus stimulus package is a holistic measure that provides a safety net for the people’s well-being amid a nationwide total lockdown to curb the rise in COVID-19 infections.

EMIR Research president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Rais Hussin said the aid, which focused on three main goals, was designed towards a holistic “survive to restart” package aimed at softening the full Movement Control Order impact on the people.

“The three main objectives were boosting public health capacity, ensuring the well-being of the people, as well as supporting business continuity. The strategy on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which were the engine of growth for the country, is a correct way,” he told Bernama TV’s “Mid-Day Update” programme today.

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On concern about the impact of the lockdown on businesses, especially SMEs, he said the government’s decision was unpopular but necessary to break the chain of infections and allow the medical system to recuperate.

He said given the spike of numbers that are out of control, the full lockdown, coupled with the safety net (PEMERKASA Plus), will prove that in the long run this was the right decision.

“In my opinion, if I am a business owner, I will take the right measures to cut the chain. At the same time, the vaccination programme should go on a fast-track manner and finally, we are ready for business again,” he said.

Unveiled by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday, the RM40 billion PEMERKASA Plus, among others, allocated RM1 billion to expand the public health capacity, RM33 billion to continue the Prihatin Rakyat agenda and an additional RM6 billion to support business continuity. 

-- BERNAMA