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JOHOR BARU: The troubled business environment in Johor, especially in the city, is reason enough for the state government to stand firm in its call to reopen the Malaysia-Singapore border, says Mohd Izhar Ahmad.
The chairman of Johor’s investment, cooperatives, business development and human resources committee said merchants and retailers were struggling to make ends meet, as well as having to continue paying rent despite the significant drop in business due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent motion control order. imposed since March 18.
“Although the recent spike in Covid-19 cases is cause for concern, the state government has made its case at government-to-government meetings on our steps to match (Singapore’s) standard operating procedure to avoid new clusters.
“We have to strike a balance to ensure that all interests, economic, safety and health are met,” he said after awarding a one-time grant of RM3,000 to each of 178 food truck operators here yesterday.
Mohd Izhar fully supports Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad, who has openly expressed the need to reopen the border to stimulate local economic growth.
In the meantime, he also said he would meet with Larkin Sentral management and merchants to find a solution to his problems tomorrow.
Retailers in Larkin Sentral, the Johor Baru bus terminal, are among the hardest hit by the economic slowdown and management has waived their rental during the MCO period, he said, adding that as of July, the rental dropped from 30% to 50%. Discounts.
“Most merchants want an exemption or discount to keep their business afloat, but we will have to examine the financial situation of the administration, since they too have commitments and operating costs to bear.”
The bus terminal is under the management of Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the state investment arm Johor Corporation.
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