KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has expressed disappointment that the government’s National Recovery Plan lacks strategic direction to reset the economy and assist businesses with their recovery.
In a statement today, FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lao said while the plan gave more certainty on the reopening phases following the the full lockdown period, the government must extend assistance to both non-essential sectors that were forced to stop operations as well as essential sectors that are operating under a lower capacity due to the full lockdown.
“FMM has called on the Government to pump prime the economy and for more funds in the Stimulus Package including direct fiscal injection as well as specific measures that would help reduce the cost impact of the affected businesses,” said Soh.
In addition, he requested that the government announce the expanded positive list of essential economic sectors for Phase Two to allow these sectors to plan their survival strategy.
“Some businesses would have to make hard and painful decisions on the future of their businesses if there is no clear indication on when they would be allowed to resume operations.
“FMM has called on the Government to allow the export-based sectors, supply chain sectors as well as the smaller sized companies to resume operations,” said Soh.
He also called upon the government to expedite its plans on getting the million-plus undocumented foreign workers vaccinated as a part of efforts to achieve herd immunity in the country.
