By Malcolm Lau
KUCHING, March 17: Repayment of commercial bank loans should be deferred as businesses which are not affiliated with the welfare net are experiencing huge knock-down effects from the Covid-19 outbreak.
“These banks should take the lead from banks such as Bank Rakyat etc under the Ministry [Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs] where it was announced by the Minister that all repayment of loans will be allowed to be deferred for six months,” Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Stakan chief Sim Kiang Chiok opined in a statement.
“The employees have the welfare net with the unpaid leave relief from Socso (Social Security Organisation) of RM600 per month and businesses directly affected can seek relief from their banks. However, businesses not directly affected but having a huge knock-down effect on them are not being considered by the commercial banks.”
According to Sim who also operates business along Carpenter Street, the street is expected to be quiet for the next two weeks during the restricted movement order as only a few shops will be opened during that time.
“The movement control order (sic) is bitter medicine for us all to take to tackle this virus,” Sim added.
He noted that adhering to this order will stop the spread of Covid-19 as well as curb the number of infections.
“My hope is that this two weeks’ control is sufficient and by April our lives can go back to normal and for us to catch up with the lost time. That there will be no second peak or wave on the spread of this virus,” Sim added.
He also opined that the state and federal governments are leading the country by providing the right action and support as the world economy is hugely affected. — DayakDaily
