The government's RM35 billion short-term National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA) approaches the gradual reopening of the economy in a careful, coordinated and orderly manner, a think tank said.
In a statement today, EMIR Research said the plan, which was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last week, also acknowledged the sense of urgency to push through the necessary changes as Malaysia navigates its way towards a post-COVID-19 world.
It said that PENJANA is timely, introducing measures to arrest the increase in unemployment and business closures, easing the cashflow for businesses and driving consumption as well as digitalisation.
"PENJANA epitomises the next concrete step the Muhyiddin administration is taking as part of the overall strategy in the recovery phase of the economy," the think tank said.
EMIR Research said PENJANA package addresses the rising concern of unemployment with the three-month extension and coverage expansion of the Wage Subsidy Programme (WSP).
"The WSP could also be utilised to cover unpaid leaves in tourism businesses which have been badly affected by the crisis.
"Looking forward, perhaps the WSP could be extended further as part of the medium-term recovery plan, to accompany the gradual reopening of the economy," said the think tank.
It added that the short-term economic recovery plan also reflected government's proactive measures at pre-empting unemployment levels with the upgrading of the National Employment Services Job Portal, hiring and training incentives for the unemployed and youths, as well as programmes for reskilling and upskilling of workers.
The government also gave serious attention towards supporting the growth of the gig economy, which accounts for 25.3 per cent of total employment in Malaysia, by providing matching grant allocation and an allocation to Malaysia Digital Economy Corp for the Global Online Workforce programme, it said.
Additionally, EMIR Research said the PENJANA Microfinancing scheme will spur the creation of more micro-enterprises in the country, which is crucial towards the promotion of entrepreneurship, thus boosting employment in the country.
"The Bumiputera Relief Financing is also consistent with the reality that the small and medium enterprises are the leading employers in the country," it said.
It added that the move to provide e-wallet credits worth RM50 and the launch of the "Shop Malaysia Online" campaign is expected to spur online consumption while providing convenience for the consumers.
"Perhaps the government's direct cash assistance, the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional could be extended beyond June to continue supporting the middle- to low-income households in driving consumption," said the think tank.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Jun 10 2020
EMIR Research said PENJANA package addresses the rising concern of unemployment with the three-month extension and coverage expansion of the Wage Subsidy Programme (WSP). - FILEpic
Laporan polis terhadap Chegubard, Salim Iskandar dan Papagomo atas tuduhan palsu - MCMC
MCMC memaklumkan laporan polis itu dibuat berdasarkan kandungan yang dimuat naik oleh ketiga-tiga individu berkenaan di media sosial pada 17 April lepas.
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: Parti komponen BN perlu bantu calon Kerajaan Perpaduan - Mohamad Hasan
Mohamad Hasan berkata ini kerana BN menghormati sistem yang diperakukan sebelum ini bahawa parti penyandang akan diberi keutamaan untuk meletakkan calon bertanding dalam PRK.
Percepat proses tapisan keselamatan ejen MM2H - Abdul Karim
Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya (MOTAC) diminta mempercepat proses tapisan keselamatan ejen program Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H).
Enam ekor lembu mati dipercayai dibaham harimau belang
Seorang penternak terpaksa menanggung kerugian kira-kira RM10,000 apabila enam ekor lembu peliharaannya mati dipercayai dibaham harimau belang.
AWANI Borneo [20/04/2024] - Tekad MADANI | Pusat aktiviti warga emas | Risiko habuk Gunung Ruang
Laporan berita padat dan ringkas dari Borneo bersama Assim Hassan;
#AWANIBorneo 20 April 2024
Rumit, tapi Anwar yakin miskin tegar di Sabah boleh disifarkan
Nancy kecewa tak ramai berminat tubuh PAWE di Sarawak
Jangan ambil ringan jika ada masalah pernafasan, ia mungkin angkara debu Gunung Ruang
#AWANIBorneo 20 April 2024
Rumit, tapi Anwar yakin miskin tegar di Sabah boleh disifarkan
Nancy kecewa tak ramai berminat tubuh PAWE di Sarawak
Jangan ambil ringan jika ada masalah pernafasan, ia mungkin angkara debu Gunung Ruang
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: Gerakan umum akan bertanding
Gerakan sebulat suara memutuskan untuk bertanding di Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Kuala Kubu Bharu yang bakal berlangsung pada 11 Mei depan.
Kerajaan diminta segera buka jalan Serudung-Simanggaris
Naib Pengerusi GRS Tan Sri iew Yun Fah menganggap pembukaan jalan sempadan antarta Serudung, Kalabakan dan Semanggris, Indonesia akan memeri limpahan rezeki kepada penduduk Sabah.
#AWANIBorneo
#AWANIBorneo
MOTS bekerjasama dengan pelbagai agensi selesaikan kes penumpang terkandas
Kementerian pengangkutan Sarawak (MOTS) akan terus bekerjasama dengan beberapa agensi dalam menyelesaikanisu penumpang terkandas akibat pembatalan penerbangan.
#AWANIBorneo
#AWANIBorneo
Letusan Gunung Ruang: Penduduk bergejala pernafasan diminta dapatkan rawatan segera
Pengarah JKNS Datuk Dr, Asits Sanna meminta orang ramai yang memiliki tanda dan gejala pernafasan agar segera mendapatkan rawatan kerana dibimbangi tersedut debu Gunung Berapi Ruang.
#AWANIBorneo
#AWANIBorneo
Komuniti di Sarawak digalakkan mohon tubuh PAWE - Nancy
Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri berkata buat masa ini, Sarawak hanya mempunyai 13 PAWE dan jumlah itu tidak mencukupi bagi sebuah negeri yang besar.
#AWANIBorneo
#AWANIBorneo