PETALING JAYA: To bolster the ailing tourism industry, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is calling upon the government to act boldly and decisively in the upcoming Budget 2021, which will be tabled next Friday (Nov 6).
MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang (pic) said the tourism industry would be in a fragile and sensitive condition in the coming years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Budget 2021 must provide solid relief programmes and substantial spending to stimulate the economy and the livelihood of Malaysians, he said.
“Budget 2021 must then be reviewed periodically, given the unprecedented global changes happening all around us, ” he added.
Tan also said the government must focus on protecting jobs and businesses through a more effective wage subsidy programme and by extending the moratorium on loans amongst other relief support.
The moratorium should be extended until June 2021 as the tourism industry had been crippled and were unable to repay loans.
“Many businesses and individuals will suffer and will probably be declared bankrupt without a moratorium extension.
“The government has to take a firm decision and instruct banks and other finance and leasing companies to extend the moratorium period to help the economy as a whole, ” he added.
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/10/29/matta-hopes-budget-2021-will-boost-ailing-tourism-industry