CORONAVIRUS | Malaysia's economy is still expected to record growth this year following the introduction of the “Prihatin” stimulus package, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed said.

"We rely heavily on the world's economy which is currently facing many challenges. Without any action and economic stimulus measures, our economy will feel the impact and may contract by 10 percent," he said.

But with the stimulus measure announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin last Friday, the economy is still expected to record growth, albeit, slightly, he said during Bernama TV's "Ruang Bicara Khas" last night.

"The injection of funds is to revive the country's economy and to protect it, though not all but most of it," he said.

Although not all of the RM250 billion came from the government, in terms of impact, the package is widespread and involved various agencies and communities, he said.

The RM250 billion includes RM20 billion previously announced, almost RM128 billion to protect the welfare of the people, RM100 billion to support businesses including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and RM2 billion to strengthen the country's economy.

Of the total, the federal government's fiscal injection amounted to RM25 billion.

"The government's current motive is to stabilise the situation and then strengthen (the country's economy) and move forward," he said.

The government, according to Mustapa, will continue to listen to complaints by traders and be ready to help them.

"They (traders) say their business are bad, even with loans they cannot do anything. Some of their views (SMEs) are relevant and the government will continue to listen to their grievances.”

Mustapa said he himself would be meeting several groups and delve deeper into their problems and present them to the Finance Ministry, Bank Negara and the prime minister.

"We will look deeper into how we can modify or improve the economic stimulus package."

Regional and global governments, added Mustapa, should take integrated actions to address challenges to the global economy brought about by Covid-19 pandemic.

- Bernama

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