KUALA LUMPUR: The RM20 billion Economic Stimulus Package to encourage domestic tourism will boost demand for public transportation.
The Transport Ministry in a statement said public transport players, especially in the aviation and railway transportation sectors, will benefit much from the allocation of up to RM100 digital vouchers per person for domestic flights, rails and hotel accommodations.
“Providing rebates on rental rates to airport tenants, as well as reducing landing and parking charges over a period of time, will ease the cash flow of businesses and airlines operating at the airports.”
“This will help airlines and airport operators face the challenges of Covid-19 and make them more sustainable,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the exclusion of import duty and sales tax on importation and purchase of equipment for port operations for a period of three years beginning April 1, would directly reduce operating costs and increase the efficiency of port operations.
“The immediate impact will be felt by some of the federal ports currently in the development and expansion phase of existing facilities, such as the Phase 3 development project for Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Johor, West Port (Westport) Container Terminal (CT) development project in Port Klang, and development of the New Deep Water Terminal (NDWT) project in Kuantan Port, Pahang," it added.
The statement also said the one-off payment of RM600 in the stimulus package for taxi drivers proves that the government is concerned about the wellbeing of the B40 group.
As the ministry in charge of transport, it would monitor the proper implementation of the stimulus package to ensure that the transport sector remains competitive and continues to provide efficient and safe services for the well-being of the public, it added.
Yesterday, Interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced a RM20 billion Economic Stimulus Package to mitigate economic risks associated with Covid-19. The package is anchored on three strategies, namely to mitigate impact of the outbreak in the country, to spur a rakyat-centric economic growth, and to promote quality investment.