​PETALING JAYA: The RM20 billion People and Economic Strategic Empowerment Programme (PEMERKASA) stimulus package that was announced by the Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today provided employers with the much-needed lifeline to look forward to.

MEF President Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said: “The disruptions to business due to Covid-19 had most employers clamouring for support and the government’s unveiling of the PERMEKASA initiative was indeed a welcome relief.

“PEMERKASA targets 400,000 employees and 37,000 employers, as well as addressed the needs of gig workers, SMEs and micro enterprises and entrepreneurs.

“Employers in the most affected sectors such as tourism, retail and wholesale should be able to breathe easier with the provision of RM700 million to extend the Wage Subsidy Programme 3.0 for three months. 

“We are also pleased that the Penjana Kerjaya 2.0 initiative under SOCSO had been enhanced and expanded to include 60,000 temporary and gig workers, while the Prihatin Special Grant 3.0 initiative aims to assist local SMEs and micro enterprises to restart operations. 

“The existing micro credit financing through programmes under Tank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Tekun Nasional, Mara and SME Corp also received an additional top-up of RM500 million.

“We thank the government for providing the necessary assistance under PEMERKASA to revive and revitalise our national economy. This support is very critical to most employers during these exceptionally challenging times.” 

For further information, contact the MEF Secretariat at 03-7955-7778 or fax 03-7955-9008 or email mef-hq@mef.org.my. 

18 MARCH 2021