Bumitra Malaysia appeals for more government assistance in tourism sector

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bumiputera Tourism Operators Association of Malaysia (Bumitra Malaysia) has appealed to the government to provide more assistance to tourism industry players, whose businesses have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its president Harun Kc Ahmmu said among the requests were to extend the wage subsidy programme and the loan repayment moratorium until December 2021.

He also urged the government to provide special interest-free loans with a repayment period of five years from the time the COVID-19 pandemic is declared ended, as well as fee exemptions for tourism-related licences for 2021.

"We are also hoping for rental exemptions until June for premises owned by the Federal government, state governments, as well as government subsidiaries such as Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara),” he said in a statement yesterday.

Apart from that, he said compulsory courses for tourism agencies such as the licence renewal course should also be cancelled for the time being, while permit renewals for tourism buses or vans should be exempted until the sector could resume operations.

"Hopefully the government can pay special attention to all tourism industry players who have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

-- BERNAMA