By Ashwin Kumar
SHAH ALAM, March 20 — The Selangor government has announced the state stimulus package (Pakej Rangsangan Selangor Prihatin Covid-19), with a total allocation of RM127.78 million, to cushion the economic impact from the two-week movement control order (MCO) that was implemented on March 18.
In a press conference today, Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the stimulus package provides aid to the people of Selangor who are affected by the order, which was enforced to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.
The stimulus package, also dubbed the Selangor Cares Package (Pakej Selangor Prihatin), is funded by the state government as well as CSR contributions from its subsidiaries.
The initiatives included in the package are as follow:
1) RM1.2 million financial and food aid for frontliners in the health sector
A one-off RM200 incentive will be given to 6,000 medical personnel stationed in the hospitals across the state. Food aid will be provided for the health personnel until March 31.
2) Rental exemption and RM40 million financial aid for licensed hawkers and traders
About 80,000 licensed hawkers and traders will be exempted from paying rent to ease the burden of losing their source of income. They will also receive a one-off RM500 cash aid to manage their cash flow, which amounts to a total allocation of RM40 million. The application for the incentive can be made from April 1 to April 30 and would take effect after the end of the MCO on March 31.
3) Defer loan repayment for 40,000 entrepreneurs under the Hijrah Selangor scheme
The state government has agreed to defer loan repayments of the Hijrah Selangor micro-credit programme with immediate effect. The postponement would benefit its 40,000 borrowers with a total collection of RM70 million over the three-month deferment period.
4) Selangor students studying in East Malaysia receive RM200 cash aid
Some 2,500 students from Selangor who are forced to stay on campus in Sabah and Sarawak higher education institutions during the order period will receive a one-off RM200 money aid. Students who stay on campus in Universiti Selangor (Unisel), Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor (Kuis), and INPENS International College will receive free food aid from March 22 to 31. A total of RM2.3 million has been allocated for the initiatives.
5) Defer loan repayment for 2,700 tenants under the Smart Rental Scheme
The state government has agreed to defer loan repayments of the Smart Rental Scheme, which would benefit 2,700 tenants with a total collection of RM600,000 over the three-month deferment period.
6) Leeway for Selangor state assemblyman on allocation for community services
The community service allocation for all 56 state assemblymen in Selangor has been increased to RM30,000 for the state representatives to use for community-related programmes. A total of RM1.68 million has been allocated for the initiative.
7) Extensions for land tax/parcel rent payment to June 30
The state government has agreed to extend the payment of land tax or parcel rent for one month, from 31 May to June 30. No cost will be borne by the Selangor administration for the extension.
