KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 – The people has expressed gratitude to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers for instructing the government to assist them during this difficult time, said Umno President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament said, it would be almost impossible for to get an automatic moratorium and let alone the EPF withdrawal had not for the Palace.

“Congrats also to the people and Umno leadership for consistently applied pressure on the government. After 3 weeks facing various difficulties, the people finally have got it,” he said.

“The PN government earlier announcement about i-Sinar and i-Lestari subsequently went ashtray. Doesn’t matter,” he said in a FB posting.

The Finance Minister once said the government cannot direct the banks to give moratorium to the rakyat.

“Even the central bank governor said that moratorium was not the best solution, and that an automatic moratorium will not be realised even though the MCO 3.0 is implemented.

“As the PM had put it, ‘we don’t have much money left’ but here they are, saying this will help the people’s cash flow. Again, it does not matter. What’s important is they got the automatic moratorium and EPF withdrawal.”

He also suggested how nice would it be if the RM5,000 EPF withdrawal is allowed per one off basis since the people has suffered too long.

“Another this that worry us is the possibility of bureaucratic discrepancy in approving loans for small and medium industry. Hopefully they too will get a moratorium since their loans are much bigger than personal.

“Well, the government had said they will reconvene the Parliament. Let’s see. We also do not discount on the need to impose a total lockdown in containing the Covid-19 pandemic.”