The DAP MP proposed that the fund include the suspension of evictions, targeted rent waivers and special grants, adding that this could also be extended to selected small- and medium-sized enterprises.
“No family or business should be forced out of their premises until Dec, 31, 2021, even if they miss a payment. Landlords should try to reach an agreement with their tenants.
“The government should waive the leases for all families which stay at People’s Housing Project and public housing (PA) areas, which is under the housing and local government ministry,” he said in a statement today.
He said the special grants should be given to small businesses which had seen a 30% drop in revenue year-on-year through a 60% subsidy on rental fees, capped at RM8,500, and lasting until the end of 2021.
Santiago said these grants should focus on businesses such as catering, retail, hawking and car workshops as their income was less than RM15,000 a month.
“Small businesses and workers have been saddled with a disproportionate share of the struggle from the Covid-19 pandemic. Many are deep in debt, not being able to pay rent due to lockdown-related closures.
“Loss of income sets a chain of events in motion – the inability to pay house and business rentals, car and housing mortgage payments. Also, it involves spending less on food and other basic necessities.”
While acknowledging there were many suggestions on where Putrajaya should channel its funds, he said these small traders and their employees would be pushed into poverty and unemployment if they did not get the aid they needed.
He added that this support should also be targeted at helping women with children, single mothers and households where women were the heads.
“Closure of small businesses will lead to more lay-offs, non-payment of bank loans, dependence on ‘ah longs’, and more people will fall into poverty.
“A rental relief fund is premised on the notion of fair sharing of economic hardship and for the common good of society and economic sustainability. Through this, we provide a lifeline for businesses and keep employment intact, thus preventing a crisis,” he said.