'Let's have a special stimulus package for SMEs'

KUALA LUMPUR:The government needs to implement a new stimulus package specifically for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Vice President I of the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce, Datuk Abdul Malik Abdullah, opined that the current assistance was not enough because it was not targeted.

"Among the most serious dilemmas facing entrepreneurs at the moment is the payment of salaries and shop rent.

"Among the things we put forward in the memorandum is there may be ways that the government can help pay for shop rent.

“For example, one-third is paid by the government, while the balance is settled by traders and shop lot owners.

"It is true that the government has provided assistance but there are still much that the traders need.

"This is not a form of pressure but what we hope for is cooperation to produce more efficient and appropriate measures," he said when appearing in Buletin AWANI today.

Earlier, a special team consisting of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and entrepreneurs, sent a 13-item memorandum to the government.

It contains, among others, the recommendation that bank moratorium be extended to all types of loans until 31 Dec 2021 besides electricity subsidies for the same period.

Abdul Malik said the government needed to make a more thorough assessment and monitoring as the COVID-19 pandemic situation had now entered a year but the cash flow had not shown any signs of recovery.

"I hope the government will invite us and other industry players to hold discussions and find a solution.

"What we have now is discussion, but only with large sectors such as manufacturing and production whereas SMEs also play a big role in the economy," he said.