THE government is expected to revise the forecast of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth, which was previously projected at between 6.0 and 7.5% for 2021.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed said this was because the projection made previously might not be achievable following the implementation of the movement-control order (MCO 3.0), which is currently in force.

“Last time, we projected 6.0 to 7.5%, certainly it (full lockdown) will have an impact on the economy. At present, we are gathering information.

“Definitely, what we had projected earlier will not be achieved. That is for sure. Just how much lower (percentage points), that is still being discussed,” he said when met after checking out the outreach programme with the Orang Asli communnity in Kg Sg Rual in Jeli today.

Elaborating further, the Jeli MP said the government also expected that the economic impact from the current full MCO would not cause a huge loss like during MCO 1.0 last year.

“For sure, there will economic impact even though there are sectors operating during the full MCO, However, the impact would not be as bad as RM2.4 billion per day,” he said.

The first phase of the full MCO is effective from June 1 to 14 to flatten the Covid-19 curve. Cases have been surging since early April. – Bernama, June 5, 2021.