KUCHING, May 2: Prolonging the movement control order (MCO) would stress the public and businesses would need a longer period to recover, opines Sarawak Housing Estates Developers Association (Sheda) Kuching chairman Sim Kiang Chiok.
“The stimulus packages by federal and state governments are comprehensive in helping the majority of all Malaysians but if MCO were to be prolonged much longer there will be much stress on those who only rely on the grants of Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) and the Sarawakku Sayang to survive,” he said.
He also said that businesses will have much less time to revive their operation during the bank’s six-month moratorium and would need much longer period of time to restart and gain back the previous operation momentum.
“All the good that the stimulus packages can do will have a lesser effect to regain our previous economic strength before the MCO.”
Meanwhile, Sim also said believed that the Sarawak government may come out with its own plan to address the situation before the end of the 4th MCO phase.
He pointed out that the Sarawak government was currently studying the federal government’s decision to allow certain sectors to start their operation on May 4, and that it was not necessary to follow the federal government’s plan.
“Sarawak government may decide to follow the federal government decision to relax and allow the economic activities in all areas, or just in our green zone, or whether to come out with its own exit plan before the end of Phase 4 MCO, which ends on May 12, 2020.”
He reminded those who will be going to work under the Conditional Movement Control Order in Peninsular Malaysia to be extra careful and remember to practise social distancing and personal hygiene.
“We are not out of the woods yet in the battle with the invisible enemy as there is no cure or vaccine are available, and we have to live with this virus for at least a year before a safe vaccine can be used,” he said.—DayakDaily.
