PM unveils RM150b ‘Pemulih’ package, largest since first lockdown

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today announced another RM150 billion aid package dubbed “Pemulih”, which stands for Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi (People’s protection and economic recovery package).

It is the largest package by the Perikatan Nasional government since the RM250 billion Prihatin package announced in March last year when the country went into a lockdown for the first time.

The latest package was announced in the light of an indefinite total lockdown as daily new Covid-19 cases have remained stubbornly high.

The total lockdown which began on June 1 was supposed to end on June 14 but was extended to June 28 and now will go on indefinitely.

The government planned to commence easing when new Covid-19 cases dip under 4,000 but the average daily fresh infections in the past month have remained above 5,000.

The Pemulih package is expected to see a direct cash injection of RM10 billion.

Here’s a recap of previous aid packages that were unveiled to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and keep the economy afloat.

2020

March 28: RM250 billion Prihatin (RM25 billion direct injection)
April 6: RM10 billion Prihatin SME+ (RM10 billion direct injection)
June 5: RM35 billion Penjana (RM10 billion direct injection)
Sept 23: RM10 billion Kita Prihatin (RM10 billion direct injection)

2021

Jan 18: RM15 billion Permai (RM6.6 billion direct injection)
March 17: RM20 billion Pemerkasa (RM11 billion direct injection)
May 31: RM40 billion Pemerkasa+ (RM5 billion direct injection)

Muhyiddin said the government took cognisant of the people's hardship despite its challenging financial situation.

"Despite the limited fiscal room, the PN government is committed to prioritising your wellbeing.

"I will not compromise on taking care of the people's wellbeing and combating Covid-19," he said in a special address on live television.

Some salient points of the key announcements are as follow:...