KUCHING, June 5: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Penjana Economic Recovery Plan initiatives would greatly benefit the tourism, arts and culture industry in the country badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Nancy Shukri, lauded the move as it would ensure industry players could continue contributing towards the development of the country’s tourism, arts and culture industry.
“The initiatives that were announced under the Short-term Economic Recovery Plan clearly show that the prime minister is concerned regarding the complaints by those that come to my offices.
“Among the benefits that the workers, entrepreneurs and tourism sectors, including these sectors that are listed in the prohibited economic activities during the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), and was instructed to take an unpaid leave, is an extension of the Wage Subsidy Program, where the employer can apply for the wage subsidy, provided that the employee received the subsidy payment directly,” she said in a statement today.
Nancy also stated that the RM1 billion Tourism Financing Scheme under Penjana, would help fund the transformation initiative for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in the tourism sector, in order to stay competitive in the era of the new norm.
She said that the details of the fund would be announced by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in July 2020.
“Apart from that, some tax measures will also be implemented, and among them are; business under the tourism industry such as travel agencies, hoteliers and airlines who have been granted postponement of installment payment on estimated tax payable for the period of April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020, will be extended for the period of three month starting from October 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
“Full tourism tax exemption for the period of July 1, 2020 until June 30, 2020, the extension of service tax exemption on accommodation services provided by accommodation premises starting September 1, 2020 until June 30, 2021, and also an extension of individual income tax relief up to RM1,000 to the expenses of traveling in the country, until December 31, 2021,” she added.
Nancy also pointed that the Prime Minister also showed his concern towards the creative, entertainment and events industry player.
“A number of programmes and financial assistance to help generate the country’s creative industry with a total amount of RM225 million will be implemented through the cooperation between MyCreative Ventures, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and also the private sectors,” she said.—DayakDaily.
