PM announces 2pc discount on electricity for all beginning April 1

PUTRAJAYA, March 16 — Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced a 2 per cent discount on electricity bills for those in the commercial, industrial and agriculture sectors, as well as for domestic users.

In a press conference today, the chair or the Economic Action Council (EAC) said that the decision was reached by the Council, owing to the widespread impact of the Covid-19 virus, which has caused monetary losses.

“In the economic stimulus package (PRE2020) of February 27, 2020, the business category affected by Covid-19, especially the tourism sector, will receive a 15 per cent discount for electricity usage for six months beginning April 1 until September 30, 2020.

“Taking into account the spread of Covid-19 which has had a wide impact, the government has now decided to grant a 2 per cent discount for all other users in the commercial, industrial and agriculture categories as well as domestic users, beginning April 1 until September 30, 2020,” he announced.

Muhyiddin said that the 2 per cent discount is expected to involve an estimated allocation of RM500 million. This discount will benefit more than 10 million households and commercial users, industries as well as those in the agriculture sector.

The PRE2020 will have three main thrusts: mitigating impact of Covid-19, spurring people-centric economic growth and encouraging quality investments in the country.

Among key measures announced are a one-off RM600 cash handout to public transport workers, a monthly special allowance of RM400 for medical doctors and health workers, and RM200 for immigration officers.

Sectors given focus are small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) and tourism, those deemed to be most impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak, which has claimed over 2,000 lives in China from where the novel coronavirus originated.

Then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also announced a 15 per cent discount on the electricity bills for tourism agencies, hotels and carriers in a bid to boost tourism, among others, while hotels will be exempted from the new tourism tax and staff insurance contribution.

For SMEs, RM2 billion will be injected into a special assistance fund to provide low-interest rate loan, while Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) will provide RM200 million worth of microcredit at a 4 per cent interest rate.