PM announces RM35 billion stimulus plan in latest bid for economic recovery
The package, known as Penjana, has three main goals and 40 initiatives.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today unveiled a RM35 billion stimulus package to help the economy recover from the impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent movement control order (MCO), which saw the majority of businesses shut down for weeks under restrictions on public activities.
Of this, RM10 billion will be in the form of direct fiscal injections.
Billed as a short-term economic recovery plan (ERP), the package titled “Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara” or “Penjana” was established with three main goals: to empower the people, propel businesses and stimulate the economy.
There are 40 initiatives covering these goals, with emphasis given to supporting workers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through training programmes, social support, financing schemes, boosting domestic consumption and supporting industries impacted by the outbreak and MCO.
Penjana is the government’s latest initiative to cushion the impact of the virus and its lockdown measures.
Putrajaya previously allocated RM260 billion through the Prihatin Rakyat stimulus package which included bank loan moratoriums, cash aid and loans for businesses.
The ERP is the fourth of six economic recovery phases: resolve, resilience, restart, recovery, revitalise and reform.
The revitalise phase will come under Budget 2021.
Unemployment
To tackle the problem of unemployment, Muhyiddin said the government would allocate some RM9 billion for three million workers through several initiatives including RM5 billion to expand the wage subsidy programme.
Adding that the programme had been well received by employers and workers alike, he said it would be extended a further three months beyond its original time frame of three months.
This initiative will be set at RM600 per worker for up to 200 workers per company.
“For tourism sectors and others which have been closed during the MCO, companies can apply for the subsidies,” he said.
He also announced RM1.5 billion for hiring incentives which is expected to benefit some 300,000 through two incentives: RM800 a month for each worker under the age of 40 hired and RM1,000 a month for workers above the age of 40 or those who have special needs.
This incentive will be provided for six months.
To help those who are unemployed increase their skills, those who have lost their jobs can claim training allowances of up to RM4,000 under Socso even if they do not contribute to the Employment Insurance System.
For the youth, incentives of RM600 a month will be given to employers who provide apprenticeships to fresh graduates.
The government will also allocate RM2 billion for upskilling programmes for the youth and unemployed. This is expected to benefit over 200,000 people.
For the youth, this includes placement and training at selected institutions as well as subsidies for training.
For those who are jobless, meanwhile, the government will conduct upskilling programmes for critical industries such as electrics and electronics, IT and communications. It will also provide short-term learning incentives.
Gig economy and SMEs
Muhyiddin said the government would also allocate RM50 million in matching grants for companies in the gig economy to make Socso and EPF contributions for their workers.
He said the government would set up a special committee chaired by the ministers of finance and human resources comprising leaders from the public and private sector to monitor initiatives related to workers.
“In line with the government’s call to encourage SMEs to implement work-from-home practices, insurance coverage and tax incentives will be provided,” he added.
“For example, tax exemptions of up to RM5,000 for workers who get a tablet, computer or smartphone from their employers.”
Muhyiddin added that daycare centres could apply for grants to help them comply with government SOPs, while e-vouchers would be provided for online nanny services as well as tax incentives for childcare fees of up to RM3,000.
Transport, OKU and single mothers
To reduce the cost of public transport, the government will also introduce the MY30 programme where people pay RM30 a month or RM1 a day for an unlimited travel pass under Prasarana in the Klang Valley.
“This is open to all citizens,” Muhyiddin said, adding that it would remain in effect from June 15 until the end of the year.
Some 300,000 special needs individuals or OKU as well as single mothers who qualify for aid under the welfare department will get one-off aid of RM300 before Hari Raya Aidiladha.
NGOs
Muhyiddin also announced an initiative called “GLC Penjana Komuniti” which will see GLCs “adopting” a community and developing its socio-economic capabilities.
He said the Peka B40 scheme would also be enhanced with an additional RM50 million for health screenings and new equipment.
The government with the cooperation of telcos will also provide 1GB of internet free of charge each day from 8am to 6pm until the end of the year for purposes related to education and teleconferencing.
Businesses
Muhyiddin said the government understood that businesses had been struggling with cashflow issues and reduced demand. He assured that they would help all businesses regardless of size through various initiatives.
These include an initiative called Shop Malaysia Online, to encourage online shopping through the provision of promotion codes, among others.
RM700 million will be allocated to help SMEs digitalise their operations.
RM1 billion will be allocated for loans to support SMEs in the tourism sector, while RM400 million will be allocated for loans for the support of microbusinesses. Another RM500 million will be allocated for loans to Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
Muhyiddin also said tax incentives would be extended for companies purchasing equipment such as PPE and thermal scanners.
The government will also give income tax rebates of up to RM20,000 for three years of assessment for SMEs set up between July 1 and Dec 31 this year.
To encourage competitiveness, it will also provide stamp duty exemptions for SMEs for mergers and acquisitions from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
RM100 million meanwhile will be allocated for an initiative called the “National Technology and Innovation Sandbox” to explore new technology and innovations.
The government will also start a “Buy Malaysia” campaign to market local products and a dedicated e-marketplace platform for such products.
To encourage cashless payments, the government will credit RM50 into e-wallets which will be matched by RM50 in vouchers and cashbacks from the e-wallet companies.
Muhyiddin also announced the reintroduction of the Home Ownership Campaign which will see various incentives, including stamp duty exemptions for the purchase of homes costing between RM300,000 and RM2.5 million from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021, subject to a developer’s discount of at least 10%.
To help the automotive industry, he announced sales tax exemptions for locally assembled cars (100%) and imported cars (50%) from June 15 to Dec 31.
For the convenience of the people, he said the operational hours of the Urban Transformation Centres (UTC) will be extended and standardised nationwide, starting July 1.
Additionally, to encourage foreign investments, new investments in the manufacturing industry amounting to between RM300 million and RM500 million will not be subject to tax for 10 years.
“This will be given if a company moves its operations within one year from the date the investment is approved, and the amount of investments must be made within three years,” he said.
Companies already here which move their overseas manufacturing operations to Malaysia can qualify for 100% investment tax allowance for five years.
“The Project Acceleration and Coordination Unit (PACU) will also be set up to accelerate the implementation and coordination of investment projects which have been approved.
“Aside from that, approvals for manufacturing licences in non-sensitive industries will be given in two working days,” he said.
To help the tourism industry, Muhyiddin said exemption of tourism tax (beginning July 1) and service tax (beginning Sept 1) will be given for accommodation until June 30, 2021.
“Income tax exemptions of up to RM1,000 given on any local travel expenses will be extended until Dec 31, 2021,” he said.
Muhyiddin also announced RM225 million in allocations to support the creative industries, and RM350 million in Dana Agrofood loans for farmers.
He hoped that with the initiatives, all parties, including the private sector and the public, could give their cooperation and play their role.
“The Cabinet ministers will work hard to give the people their best service. I hope the government’s efforts will benefit the people.
“Like Encik Sugu and Puan Pavithra who have gone viral (for their online cooking videos), hopefully, they can increase their capabilities and open a restaurant one day. Then we can taste their chicken varuval.”
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