KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has proposed for Asean nations develop a Post Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan, which among others would include measures to address pertinent issues affecting some 600 million people in the region.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said apart from rejuvenating the region’s economy after the end of the pandemic, the Asean Economic Recovery Plan should also focus on strengthening social welfare safety net, boosting food security and improving education for the people in member countries.
Speaking at the Asean Special Summit on Covid-19 via videoconferencing today, Muhyiddin said the economic recovery plan must also outline ways for member countries to preserve supply chain connectivity and ensure a smooth flow of medical, food and other essential supplies.
The plan, said the prime minister, must also include measures to ensure critical infrastructure for trade and trading routes via air, land and sea are secured and remain open.
“In every crisis lies an opportunity and Malaysia foresees that Asean as a regional block must work together post Covid-19.
“All our nations are facing similar complications and we must work together to ensure no one is left behind.
“Looking ahead, Malaysia would like to propose for our Economic Ministers to have an immediate discussion to begin shaping an (the) Asean Economic Recovery Plan,” Muhyiddin said.
The special summit was chaired by Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and participated by 10 Asean member states leaders.
Asean, said Muhyiddin, must guard the region against the imposition of unnecessary restrictions on the flow of medical, food and essential supplies.
He also urged member nations from allowing the region to revert to its comfort zone and instead work together in transforming Asean into a new growth centre and power-house in the world.
“Malaysia believes, if we pool our resources and infrastructure together, we can do it and bring a new and dynamic meaning to Asean unity and centrality.”
At the same session, Muhyiddin also shared measures implemented by Malaysia to break the transmission of the deadly virus as well as cushion the adverse impact of the pandemic towards the country’s economy.
Besides enforcing the Movement Control Order that will enter its third phase from tomorrow (April 15) until April 28, he said Malaysia has been aggressively increasing its capacity to conduct more tests per million capita followed by rigorous contact tracing and treatment for all patients irrespective of their levels of symptoms and illnesses.
“I understand that more tests may result in higher reported infections but it is needed to ensure we swiftly detect and treat those infected.
“As of yesterday (Monday), our mortality rate stands at 1.6 percent as compared to the global average of 6.1 percent,” he said, adding that the government had approved RM1.5 billion for the Health Ministry to increase its capacity in screening, and further intensify treatment for Covid-19 patients.
Malaysia, he explained, had also announced three stimulus packages worth RM260 billion (USD64.6 billion) to cushion the impact of Covid-19 on the people and businesses.
These stimulus packages, he said, have a face value of 18.1 percent of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and included loan repayment deferments, wage subsidies, cash handouts and even free internet for the people for the next few months.
“However, these strategies will only assist Malaysia get through this period of fighting Covid-19. There needs to be a regional post-pandemic recovery plan and Malaysia cannot do this alone.”