PUTRAJAYA has agreed to grant a loan moratorium for three months for those in the B40 group and those who have lost their jobs, said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the moratorium would also be extended to micro-enterprises and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are not allowed to operate during the nationwide lockdown that starts tomorrow.

He made this announcement in a special address to announce the government’s financial assistance under Pemerkasa Plus tonight.

Muhyiddin said people are given the option of getting a moratorium automatically approved for three months or get a 50% reduction in instalments for six months.

“This initiative will be implemented immediately in June, which is expected to benefit more than five million borrowers with a value of up to RM30 billion.

“The banking industry will provide more detailed information on this matter tomorrow,” he said during a televised broadcast tonight.

Muhyiddin said that borrowers must contact their respective banks to benefit from this assistance.

The loan moratorium was granted for six months last year when the government implemented the first movement-control order in March.

Since then, the government has rejected calls for the moratorium to be extended, saying that banks and borrowers can enter into their own adjustments in loan repayments.

Putrajaya will also extend electricity bill discounts to affected sectors, the prime minister said.

This, he said, is for hotel operators, travel and tourism agencies, shopping premises and complexes, convention centres, theme parks and local airline offices who are eligible to receive a 10% electricity bill discount for an additional three months between July and September.

“The government has also agreed to give a special deduction to owners of buildings and business spaces who offer a reduction in the rent of business premises to SMEs and non-SMEs for another six months until December 31 for a reduction in rent of at least 30% of the current rental rate.

“In addition, the extension until December 31 for tourism tax and service tax exemption on accommodation provided by hotel operators is still ongoing.”

Muhyiddin added that the government has also agreed to extend the sales tax exemption on imported CKD (completely-knocked-down) and CBU (completely-built up) passenger vehicles from July 1 to December 31. – May 31, 2021.