Aid For Sme Is Suffice For Now

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THE Prime Minister today announced an additional RM10 billion stimulus package for small and medium enterprises (SME), on top of the RM250 billion already announced before, thanks to suggestions by some quarters, including UMNO president Zahid Hamidi.This included increasing wage subsidies now to a total of RM13.8 billion, which will benefit 4.8 million workers across the country. It is hoped to be able in helping out the SME and their workers.Kudos to a benevolent premier and government!"The additional RM10 billion can help lessen the financial burden of the SME, and subsequently guarantee that two-third of the total workers in this country will continue being employed,” Muhyiddin Yassin said a special address this afternoon.The additional wage subsidy come on top of the RM5.9 billion announced under the first Prihatin stimulus packge unveiled at the end of last month. With the addition, the RM600 subsidy will be extended to all SMEs that employ up to 200 workers, double the previous package.In his column 'Secangkir Kopi' in UMNO Online last week, Zahid jotted down his concern over the SME survival during this Movement Control Order (MCO) and possibility of some SMEs facing the possibility of 'close shop' due to major problems under the rules.The workers too, Zahid said were also affected for job lost while the employers had to bear other costs too, including utility bills, rental and bank loans.The announcement today came as special aid to the SME. Those employing between 76 and 200 people will receive RM800 per worker, and firms that employ no more than 75 people will be subsidised with RM1,200 per worker.All companies registered with the Companies Commission Malaysia (SSM) and Social Security Organisation (Socso) before January 2020 will be eligible for assistance but with the condition that no workers be laid off for the next six months. The subsidy will last three months.The prime minister also announced a special grant worth RM3,000 for micro businesses, expected to cost RM2.1 billion and 700,000 beneficiaries.The extended package followed strong criticisms by industries who felt left out by the RM250 billion Prihatin stimulus package announced last week. From the total, RM100 billion was allocated for SMEs, although detractors noted a large chunk of it were just loans and guarantees.The SME Association has said nearly all its members face cash flow problems and badly need direct assistance to avert closure.We should thanks the new government for taking SME predicaments seriously. However, should the MCO has to continue, will there be another package?

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