Rakyat feel optimistic with recovery
THE government’s decision to allow petty traders to operate during the movement control order allowed me to earn some money during these difficult times. Although the SOP was slightly confusing, my business was able to make some profit. I’m hopeful that the government will channel more help for traders, like the one-off RM500 from the Perak state government to affected hawkers and petty traders. — Rajoo, 49, cobbler in Ipoh
MANY food sellers like me opt for delivery service, but we actually get more profit through dine-in. I am thankful that stalls can operate and dine-in is allowed. Although I’m not eligible for the one-off aid for traders due to a document issue, I managed to apply for the i-Sinar withdrawal and used the money for my business. It’s not much but it helps. I hope the government will ease the terms and conditions for us to apply for aid and offer us interestfree schemes. — Nurhayati Ramli, 42, food seller in Ipoh
I AM glad to see my customers dining in happily but I hope the government will enforce stricter dine-in rules such as banning toddlers and children from dining-in, as many have yet to get their vaccines. I have not applied for any government aid even though my business is affected as a lot of documentation is needed. I hope they can make it as easy as applying for the BPN.
— Kelvin Khoo Kay Keat, 37, food trader in Ipoh
SINCE the pandemic has affected the economic sectors and people, a better solution is to have a strict conditional MCO implemented, as long as the SOP is strictly followed as businesses reopen. The economy must keep going for the country to help those affected. — John Lee, 45, office worker in Kota Kinabalu
AS long as the authorities can make sure the public adheres strictly to the SOP, the government can reopen more businesses.
For those who think this is a debate between the economy and livelihood, in the long run, the economy is the livelihood of the people.
— Cleophas J Gordon, 30, civil servant in Kota Kinabalu
THE Prime Minister’s announcement on the next plan for economic recovery and emphasis on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic is on the dot. It has been a year and we can only become better and stronger, and the government has a huge task of steering the nation forward. My company has benefited from the wage subsidies announced earlier and I’m thankful. I hope the government will help more businesses survive in the next recovery phase, as more of the people are vaccinated.
— Law Lean Mei, 45, advertising firm owner in Kuala Lumpur
THE Prime Minister’s address has touched on a comprehensive set of initiatives that prioritises the rakyat. It was reassuring that the government continued efforts to minimise the effects of the pandemic through efforts to allow more businesses to reopen, such as the cinema operators. The government should be mindful and work towards early withdrawal of the Emergency Ordinance once the Covid-19 situation improves as it is necessary to generate more domestic and international confidence. The government should assist more businesses to resume, reconsider setting up roadblocks and allow the people to travel interstate as soon as possible, as a necessary prerequisite to revitalising economic activities.
— Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of Alliance For Safe Community
CIVIL servants and the government are inseparable because the main focus of both parties is to help the people and facilitate the economic sector. Government leaders should move together with civil servants without any prejudice to ensure every policy runs smoothly for the good of the people and the country. Cuepacs has seen no issues for the civil servants to hold firmly to the concept of supporting the government and working in professionalism, thus allowing the government administration to continue to run smoothly without internal problems. — Adnan Mat, president of the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs)