SHAH ALAM, June 19 — A state backbencher has urged businesses in Selangor not to abuse government assistance, including a six-month 30 per cent rent rebate for stalls under local councils’ jurisdictions, introduced to help them face the impact of global economic uncertainties.
Kota Damansara assemblyman Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim expressed concern that some traders are taking advantage of this support to hike the prices of their goods and services.
“I welcome (the rent rebate), especially in Kota Damansara, where there are a number of stalls that operate under the local council. This will provide some relief to them.
“My only request to businesses is, since we have given the 30 per cent (rent rebate) for six months, coupled with other assistance, don’t take this opportunity to raise prices.
“There are some who use this privilege to gain multi-fold profits without realising this initiative is (provided) by the government to help them survive, because we don’t want them to be among those who are forced to close shop,” he said when debating Phase 2 of the Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package (SREP) during the special Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
He asserted that the rent rebate is intended to provide some much-needed relief to petty traders, many of whom are already operating under subsidised rental rates.
On a related note, Izuan said the presence of roadside stalls should not be misconstrued as an indicator of a failing economy, adding that economic health should be evaluated with proper data rather than public perception.
When tabling SREP Phase 2 at the sitting earlier today, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said more than 21,000 traders renting premises from local authorities across Selangor will enjoy a 30 per cent discount on rent for six months from July.
He said the move would help reduce operating costs and keep food affordable for the public.
The RM4.5 million initiative is set to benefit 21,234 traders statewide.
