COVID-19: Muhyiddin on economic action to help public
SUNGAI BULOH: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin underlines some important key initiatives in the Economic Action Council Meeting today, in order to help the public during COVID-19 outbreak.
Muhyiddin currently serving as the eighth prime minister of Malaysia. He was appointed after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation on 24 February 2020 as part of the Malaysian political crisis.
“I hope this initiative will help to ease the burden that the people are facing during these difficult times,” said Muhyiddin.
These initiatives are a part from economic stimulus package and people’s aid which he will announce in future.
The initiatives that have been announced in the meeting are as below:
- Online facility for withdrawal using i-Lestari of the RM40 billion Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
- The government agreed to provide an additional allocation of RM500 million to the Health Ministry in order to support efforts to address COVID-19. Other than that, an allocation of RM100 million provided to the Health Ministry to appoint 2,000 new employees on contract, particularly nurse.
- The government has also agreed to provide an allocation of RM130 million to the states to help them cope with the crisis of COVID-19.
- The government has also agreed to provide extended period of three to six months for delay in repayment of National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loan amounting to RM750 million.
“In the current crisis situation that is plaguing our country, it is important for us to be open-minded, cooperative and proactive in finding solutions for every problem that we face,” said Muhyiddin.
There is a Malay proverb says ‘Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing’, which means we should share the weight be it light or heavy.
By S Jeevita
