KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) gave the thumbs-up to several of the Pemerkasa Plus assistance initiatives announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday (May 31) for tourism players to stay afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Association president Datuk Tan Kok Liang singled out the push for the rollout of the vaccination programme which it said would help revive tourism and related economic subsectors.
“We have written to the minister coordinating the vaccination programme to fast track the programme rollout for workers in the tourism industry.
“This move is critical if we are to reinforce the nation’s reputation as one of the foremost tourism destinations in South East Asia.
“As can be seen by several other countries, the success of their vaccination programmes has resulted in these countries being able to open up their borders to international travel,” he said in a statement today (June 1).
He highlighted the rehabilitation programme for buses, a move which he said Matta had proposed since the early stages of the pandemic.
“A survey of 3,000 Matta member companies alone indicates that we are looking at close to 9,000 vehicles classified as ‘Bas Persiaran’. To put it into context a 40-seater tour bus can cost anywhere between RM490,000 and RM580,000.
“We are thankful that the government has taken the bold decision to intervene on behalf of bus owners as the previous moratoriums did not apply to leasing companies,” Tan said.
According to Matta estimates, its members alone own more than 9,000 vehicles classified as ‘Bas Persiaran’, many of which were purchased from credit and leasing companies.
He said the moratorium and wage subsidy programme should be extended till Dec 31.
“This extension should also apply to HRDF contributions. The exemption of late payment and renewal of licence to SSM and deferment of penalty for payment of outstanding tax payment to LHDN is a practical move that will help companies during this period,” he added.
He also appealed to the government to approve further assistance to travel agencies with a grant of RM10,000 each to help them cover fixed costs and overhead costs, stressing travel agencies were one of the hardest hit businesses.
“Many are trying desperately to stay afloat by turning to alternative businesses which do little to improve the situation of the sector and its more than 47,000 direct employees.”
On the ‘no salaries for three months’ for the prime minister, his ministers and deputy ministers, Tan said it was a positive move.
“It’s a ‘walk-the-talk’ commitment by the Cabinet,” he said.
