9 Permai Initiatives HR Should Know About

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Government understands all types of businesses face various challenges, including difficulties in managing cash flow, utility expense, and rent of premises during the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO).

He said the Government will strive to reduce the business sector's burden through several measures to support business continuity in the Malaysian Economic and Rakyat's Protection Assistance Package (Permai). 

Here are the 9 Permai initiatives HR should know about:

1. Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN 2.0) and Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) Payments will be sped up

The last round of BPN2.0 payments will be quickened starting from 21 January 2021. 

The latest BPR aid update revealed that for the first round of instalments, households earning up to RM5,000 per month would receive RM300 each. People who are under the single category earning up to RM2,000 per month receive RM150. The Permai announcement suggested that the Government would accelerate the payments too, but it has not shared any date or timeline.

2. Relaxed EIS Programme

The Government will relax the Employment Insurance System (EIS) or SIP PRIHATIN conditions to support those suffering from employment loss. 

Workers who do not meet the minimum contribution conditions, or whose contract wasn't extended after having been renewed for at least three times before, are qualified to apply for the SIP PRIHATIN assistance of 30% of their monthly salary for three months.

3. Wage Subsidy Programme 3.0

The new Wage Subsidy Programme 3.0 will be open to all businesses operating in MCO states. Approved employers will get a wage subsidy of RM600 per employee (with a salary of less than RM4,000 per month) up to 500 workers.

The third objective of Permai is to support business continuity.

4. RM2,500 tax relief for those who buy mobile phones, computers & tablets

Everyone can claim tax relief of up to RM2,500 on the purchase of mobile phones, computers, and tablets for Year of Assessment (YA) 2021.

5. Permai Prihatin Special Grant Plus

The existing Prihatin Special Grant Plus assistance will be expanded to include 500,000 SMEs in the MCO states, with a payment of RM1,000 each while 300,000 SMEs in other states will receive RM500 each. 

Should any state be declared a red zone with MCO imposed, the Government is prepared with additional assistance.

You can read more about the special grant here.

6. EPF i-Sinar Advance Facility & Withdrawal Process

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will give an advance of up to RM1,000 from the number applied under the i-Sinar Category 2 facility, starting 26 January 2021. 

The Category 2 advance withdrawal process has become easier. Members will only need to provide a self-declaration and submit supporting documents online.

7. Electricity Bill Discounts

Six business sectors across the country:

• hotel operators, 
• theme parks, 
• convention centres, 
• shopping malls, 
• local airline offices, and 
• travel and tour agencies

will earn a discount of 10% on electricity bills from January to March 2021. Domestic and non-domestic TNB users will receive an electricity rebate of 2 sen/kWh from 1 January to 30 June 2021.

8. Moratorium For PTPTN Repayments

National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers who are affected by Covid-19 or floods can apply for a three-month PTPTN loan repayment moratorium till 31 March 2021. 

Those who wish  to apply can also do so through PTPTN’s official portal at www.ptptn.gov.my/PelanjutanBayaranBalikCovid19 until March 31.

9. Continuing The Moratorium & Loan Repayment Assistance

The extended moratorium and reduced loan repayment instalments as announced previously will continue to be offered. This initiative is not new, as applications for the targeted repayment assistance were estimated to be open until 30 June 2021.

We will update you more on these initiatives and how to apply as soon as it is announced. You can also read about all the initiatives here.

Source: Prime Minister's Office

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