KUCHING: Companies should review and make suitable adjustments to their business plans to ensure that they will be able to cope with the impact of Covid-19.
Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg said even though the movement control order (MCO) is extended until mid-April, businesses have to look into their plans.
“They may have to redo their whole plan for the year, and probably even for next year,” he said adding that it might be necessary to come up with new models.
According to him, the ability of companies to recover following the pandemic depended on the type of business as well as how well they were able to manage in terms of planning and production.
“That depends very much on their strategies,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
However, he emphasised that the government was there to provide support and assistance. He thus advised businesses to work closely with the government.
He encouraged companies, especially small businesses, to approach both state and federal government agencies to explore available options as a number of packages had been announced to counter the negative effects of Covid-19.
“The assistance is there, it is for businesses to approach the appropriate body to ask for advice and information,” he said.
Abang Abdul Karim lauded the state government for coming up with the Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid Package to alleviate the impact of the pandemic.
“It is indeed very timely and will help a lot of sectors affected by Covid-19, mostly the B40 (low-income) group as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to some extent,” he said of the initiative announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Monday.
He stressed that what was important now was the effective delivery of these measures under the package to assist the relevant groups.
He said that while it was clear that Covid-19 had seriously impacted the state’s business sector, it was difficult to quantify the damage as yet.
Meanwhile, he commended the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic; recognising the risks of Covid-19 and taking measures early – such as the quick implementation of the MCO nationwide.
“While these measures have created inconveniences for the people and also the business sector, we have to understand why these steps are necessary. It is for our own good and our future as well,” said Abang Abdul Karim.
He noted that China had managed the situation very well and was returning to normalcy due to its early lockdown and its people’s compliance to it.
“Even if there are those here who are unhappy with the MCO and its extension, we have to take this lesson from China and comply with what our government has instructed,” he urged.
He said that Malaysia was on track in handling the epidemic, and hoped that it would be over soon.
