MATTA Proposals And Press Statements On The Economic Stimulus Package No.2

1 April 2020

Dear Members,

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has engaged and submitted our proposals on the Economic Stimulus Package No.2 to the government and to the Economic Action Council (EAC) which include one-off token support sum of RM 20,000 per company, 60% of employee wages to be absorbed/paid by government, to stop mandatory contributions to EPF, HRDF and other levies, amongst others.

On 31 March 2020 (Tuesday), MATTA represented by Honorary Secretary General, Nigel Wong, had attended a meeting with the Minister of Finance, YB Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Aziz and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy binti Shukri to further present and highlight on our proposals focusing on:

  1. Support sum of RM 20,000 to each travel company
    The Government to provide a one-off token support sum of RM 20,000 per company to help overhead operating costs.
     
  2. Government to absorb 60% of staff salary
    The government should assist travel agencies companies to retain the staff by absorbing or paying up to 60% of the staff salary up to cap of RM2,500 each staff per month for 6 months from April 2020.
     
  3. To suspend contribution to EPF
    The government to suspend all contribution to EPF by both the employers and employees from April till December 2020.
     
  4. Proposal for leasing companies
    MATTA had proposed for leasing companies to use Bank Negara Malaysia directive on moratorium. Just like the banks that are having the six months moratorium, the leasing companies should do the same for their clients.
     
  5. To boost Domestic Tourism post Covid-19
    The Government should provide double tax deduction for corporate companies that sent their employees for local MICE events (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions). The government should also assist travel agencies companies during this downtime when they send their staff for courses to upskill by paying / absorbing up to 70% of the course fee.


Below are the press releases before the announcement of the Economic Stimulus Package No.2 and the media coverage after the announcement which expressed our disappointment.

Please click on the links to read the full statements:

1. 26 March 2020: Stop EPF And Pay 60% Of Employee Wages To Avoid Retrenchment, Says MATTA

Please click the link below to read the news coverage:


2. 26 March 2020: Leasing Companies Should Use BNM Directives on Moratorium, Says MATTA

Please click the link below to read the news coverage:


3. 27 March 2020: MATTA Disappointed with Second Economic Stimulus Package, Fears More Will Lose Jobs

Please click the link below to read the news coverage:


We shall continue to update members on further development from time to time.

Thank you.

DATUK TAN KOK LIANG
President MATTA
Term 2019 - 2021