KUCHING: Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has welcomed the RM20bil stimulus package announced by interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Its chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain said, “It is timely. Previously during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, we also have such package provided by the government to help increase our gross domestic product (GDP).
“Definitely in situations like this (Covid-19 outbreak), the stimulus package is required, especially for those industries that are affected by Covid-19.”
He added that one of the affected industries was tourism and, SEDC too in a way because their hotel bookings and conferences had been cancelled following the outbreak.
Abdul Aziz mentioned that the hotel industry’s revenue in this quarter would be much less with the decrease in tourist arrivals and the number of conferences being cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19.
“Hotels in Kuching are affected because tourists who decided to come over to Sarawak, have cancelled their flights and hotel bookings due to the outbreak.
“But it has not badly affected places like Sabah, Selangor or Kuala Lumpur, where there are more tourists, especially from China,” he told reporters here yesterday.
“Hence, this package is able to help the tourism industry and there are various packages that can benefit even the taxi drivers, and tourist operators to help cope in this time when the income revenue is less.
“The RM20bil stimulus package actually helps the country recover from the disease outbreak, by providing incentives to doctors, volunteers and workers who are on the front line in handling the matter,” he added.
Abdul Aziz said the stimulus package should have been done earlier but “it is never too late to do so. Such package will hopefully help the nation to get over this trying time.”
SEDC currently has Riverside Majestic Hotel, Grand Margherita Hotel, Damai Beach Resorts and Spa, Damai Lagoon Resorts and Spa, among others under its wings.
