Dr Jayum Jawan
MIRI (June 26): An academician believes that the focus should on the rural and suburban populations when it comes to the next large-scale aid package to be channelled by the government during this time of Covid-19 pandemic.
In this regard, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus’ Faculty of Humanity, Management and Science dean Prof Dr Jayum Jawan has stressed that any assistance for the people remains the obligation of those who carry out government functions during times of distress.
“It (provision of assistance) shows the concern of the leaders in addressing the difficulties faced by the people due to closure of various sectors, especially those economic ones.
“Whatever package launched (by the ruling administration), I hope the people in the rural and suburban would be accorded the attention,” he said in a statement yesterday, in response to a recent announcement by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin about the federal government expecting to unveil another ‘mega Covid-19 aid package soon’.
Khairy, who is also National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NCIP) Coordinating Minister, said this during an engagement session at the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia’s 45th annual general meeting conducted virtually on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said his ministry would continue to monitor and refine other forms of assistance that would be channelled throughout the National Recovery Plan (NRP), including using the remaining RM100 billion from the Economic Stimulus Package and RM200 billion from Budget 2021.
On another matter, Jayum – the first to preside over Tan Sri Empiang Jabu Research Chair for Dayak Women Studies set up by UPM – expressed hope for the reopening of more economic activities as soon as possible, but still subject to strict adherence to the set standard operating procedures (SOP).
“This is important because when the economy has fallen to a ‘paralysis’ level, the process of reviving it would take time and this could be very challenging.”
Jayum believed that among the most viable way to ensure the safety, health and well-being of the people would be to expedite the vaccination programme.
“The country should reach the target number or percentage of the population who have already been vaccinated to a safe level, before gradually reopening the sectors that were closed previously,” he added.