KUALA LUMPUR: The Finance Ministry today announced the establishment of the Unit for the Implementation and Coordination of National Agencies on the Economic Stimulus Package (Laksana).
Its minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said Laksana was formed on March 16 to monitor the implementation of the Economic Stimulus Package 2020 rolled out by the government to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 towards the economy of the country.
He said Laksana will regularly report to the Economic Action Council (EAC) to ensure that initiatives introduced under the economic stimulus package subsequent stimulus initiatives are implemented timely and effectively.
As of today, he said, the implementation of measures and initiatives introduced under economic stimulus package is progressing smoothly.
“This include payment of RM200 each for 3.8 million Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) recipients originally scheduled in May that was brought forward and paid on Mar 16,” he said in a statement today.
He also confirmed that the government would be unveiling the Second Economic Stimulus Package next Monday.
The public, he said, is also invited to provide feedback and ideas for the Second Economic Stimulus Package through the official MOF portal at http://pre2020.treasury.gov.my/
“Preparations for the Second Economic Stimulus Package are underway and will take into account various stakeholders’ feedback to ensure the rakyat’s wellbeing, sustainability of private sector companies and the nation’s economic resilience in facing the challenges of Covid-19 and global uncertainties,” he said.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said that he would be unveiling a more ‘comprehensive’ economic stimulus package and assistance for the people on Mar 30.
“With the additional measures that will be introduced and implemented by the government, I hope it will improve the wellbeing of the people apart from strengthening the economy of the country,” Muhyiddin told reporters after chairing the second EAC meeting in Putrajaya near here.
Zafrul said the ministry has approved a tax deduction for contributions and donations in cash and in kind by individuals and corporates to the Covid-19 Fund and the Health Ministry.
The tax deduction, he said, is a form of acknowledgement from the government towards the generosity of Malaysians among individuals and the corporate sector, in contributing and donating towards addressing the crisis triggered by the outbreak.
“The ministry would like to acknowledge the contributions made by the Government-Linked Companies (GLCs), which to date amounts to RM60 million in the form of medicine, medical equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Health Ministry.
“The corporate sector is encouraged to emulate the generosity of GLCs in assisting national efforts to combat the Covid-19 outbreak.” he said.