KUCHING: The Youth Section, Federation of Chinese Associations Sarawak, is appealing to the government to waive the licence fees of businesses in the entertainment industry.
It is also urging the government to provide members with some form of subsidies to help them cushion the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Treasurer Aaron Tay Kok Tung said they had sustained huge losses due to the pandemic and the waiver of licence fees and provision of subsidies would, to a certain extent, assist them to recover the losses.
He said the entertainment industry, which included massage centres, bars, karaoke restaurants, and other entertainment venues, were among the first to bear the brunt of the pandemic’s initial impact.
“It has been more than a year since the movement control order was first implemented in March last year.
“From then until now, the entertainment industry has been able to operate less than five months. The operators are facing difficulties making ends meet and their resources are depleting. Yet they are still required to pay various fees.
“Not only that, the businesses are still paying employees’ salaries, rentals and other expenses. All these have a profound effect on them.
“As such, the government must provide additional subsidies such as licence fee exemption and employees’ allowances and take practical steps to assist the industry.”
Tay said he supported the government’s various Covid-19 prevention measures but the government should take into account the various issues faced by various industries and provide them with appropriate solutions in order to create a win-win situation.
In addition, Tay also called on the state government to restrict any entry into Sarawak during this period.
“Simultaneously, the state government should accelerate the vaccination process in Sarawak in order to achieve the goal of having 70 percent of Sarawakians vaccinated in order to ensure the safety of everyone.”
