PM unveils RM150bil Pemulih aid package
An aid package worth RM150bil has been unveiled to help the people, businesses, as well as those vaccinated under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) to curb the spread of Covid-19. The government will also provide a total amount of RM10bil direct fiscal injection. In a special address, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday (June 28) listed a number of initiatives under the package known as the “Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi (Pemulih)“. The government will add up to RM500 for Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) for the month of July. The government will expand job seekers’ allowance to Social Security Organisation (Socso) non-contributors, especially new graduates and informal sectors. The Bantuan Khas Covid-19 (BKC) initiative for several categories covers hardcore poor, B40, and M40. The BKC is expected to benefit more than 11 million households and the elderly as well as singles with an allocation of RM4.6bil. There will also be allocations for price control programmes, and discount on electricity bills. A six-month automatic moratorium for all borrowers. Borrowers will only need to apply and approval will be given automatically by the banks. (The Star)
Putrajaya introduces i-Citra service for EPF withdrawals up to RM5,000
A new withdrawal service that allows Malaysians to withdraw money from their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) accounts called i-Citra was announced today by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Through i-Citra, 12.6 million EPF members will be allowed to withdraw RM5,000 with a fixed return rate of RM1,000 for five months, depending on the amount of money in their EPF savings. “Members can start applying to withdraw their EPF money through the i-Citra portal at icitra.kwsp.gov.my from July 15, 2021 with the first payment expected to be credited into your account in August 2021,” he said. He added that the loan moratorium will now be automatic and cover all income groups and micro entrepreneurs for the next six months. “There are no more conditions like how much wage reduction you took, no more checks on whether you have really lost your job and you no longer need to provide documentation to prove this,” said Muhyiddin. “All you need is to apply for this and it will be given automatically.” Applications open on July 7. (Malay Mail)
PM: Govt to consider allowing companies to resume full operations if workers vaccinated against Covid-19
The government is ready to consider allowing companies to resume full operations if all the workers have been fully vaccinated, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He said the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) is coordinating the Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (Pikas) as an incentive to companies and industries to use their premises as Vaccination Centres (PPVs) and conduct immunisation programmes for employees. He said the government would be supplying the vaccines, while the company or factory would make the logistical arrangements. RM150 million will be allocated for the implementation of Pikas as well as to alleviate companies’ costs. The government has also agreed to provide tax deductions on expenses encompassing the cost of equipment and services in setting up the PPVs by employers, he said. Additionally, the tax deduction on Covid-19 contributions through community or charitable projects has also been extended to cover contributions to PPVs, he added. (Malay Mail)
National Fourth Industrial Revolution Policy to be launched on July 1
The national policy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (National 4IR Policy), the country’s comprehensive policy to drive the integrated efforts in transforming the socio-economic development through the use of advanced technology 4IR, will be launched on Thursday (July 1). The National 4IR Policy will prepare the main principle guidelines and strategic direction for the ministries and agencies in drafting the policies and action plans to optimise the resource distribution and implementation coordination in matters relating to emerging technologies which will benefit the people, public and private sector. “This policy supports the country’s development policies such as Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV 2030) and Five-year Malaysia Plans. It also complements the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint in driving the digital economy development,” according to a statement. (The Star)
Ismail Sabri: 11 sectors given pre-approval to operate during Phase Two of recovery plan
The government has announced a list of pre-approved sectors allowed to operate when the country eventually transitions to Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) following the indefinite extension of the current phase until it has met the threshold set. Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said a total of 11 sectors — manufacturing and commercial — will be allowed to operate alongside essential sectors approved by the National Security Council from 8am to 8pm. The six pre-approved sectors under the manufacturing category included automotive (vehicle/components), ceramic, rubber, cement, steel and iron and furniture (for the purpose of exportation/). Separately, the five pre-approved sectors under the commercial category included stationery and book shops, computer and telecommunications, electrical appliances, car wash and hairdressing salons. (Malay Mail)
