Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said the package, which will allow Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members to withdraw up to RM5,000 over a period of five months under the i-Citra scheme and includes a targeted three-month moratorium, will be a small antidote to the people’s anger even though it actually involves the use of their own money.
Noting the government’s efforts to provide RM300,000 to all MPs on both sides of the political divide for food aid, Awang Azman said this was a great effort by the government to help the people.
“However, the number of people who are in need of food aid is tremendous and it is hoped that the issue of dissatisfaction will not arise when those who qualify for aid do not receive enough,” he told FMT, adding that this was only a short-term measure.
Awang Azman said the government should think of long-term solutions instead of temporary and populist measures just to appease the public.
Azmi Hassan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said the latest stimulus package demonstrated that the government was trying to do its best to help the people.
Azmi said that with the government’s limited resources after providing a variety of stimulus packages, it was able to create one that focused more on the B40 group, who will receive a majority of the benefits.
“The government providing RM300,000 to every MP also shows that it cares about the community,” he said.
Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said the Pemulih stimulus package was actually similar to all the previous packages.
Oh said a large part of it was still self-help, which meant that the public would have to withdraw from their own EPF savings or pay loans later in the form of a moratorium.
“Also, all the money given for food baskets is to help the B40 group but how long can it last? It is not sustainable. A comprehensive plan is needed to contain the pandemic and to really stimulate the economy,” he said.
He said the package would only temporarily help the people get by but would not calm their anger with the government.
On Monday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced a RM150 billion package to help people and businesses through the lockdown which has been extended by another two weeks.
In a televised address, Muhyiddin said the relief package would involve RM10 billion in direct fiscal injection.