Yesterday (Tuesday, 18th April), Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, delivered some exciting news. Malaysians will get to enjoy an additional public holiday in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Many were jumping for joy when the news came out, as this means everyone will get to spend more time with their loved ones during the holidays.
However, not everyone is pleased with the extra holiday, among those include Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin. In a recent interview with Astro Awani, the Mydin CEO said that his company will suffer at least RM500,000 in losses due to the additional Raya holiday. That’s half a million ringgit!
Pengarah Urusan Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd., Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin berkata pengumuman cuti khas oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim di saat akhir telah menyebabkan banyak perniagaan menanggung kerugian. #AWANInews #AgendaAWANI pic.twitter.com/pNSqmogiQb
— Astro AWANI (@501Awani) April 18, 2023
“Who does not want an extra holiday? I also want a holiday. But, everybody has already made their plans for Raya, many have even taken leave for this Friday. Now, when the prime minister announced an additional public holiday, this would incur costs to businesses,” he said.
Additionally, Ameer said the money set to be lost by businesses could’ve been used for other better causes, such as lowering the price of Menu Rahmah and other goods. According to him, “That half a million ringgit can be used to lower the price of Menu Rahmah to only RM4 per plate. This would benefit 500,000 people. I think the government shouldn’t become populist.”
PM Anwar has also announced four days of toll exemptions in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The toll exemptions will be from 19th to 21st April, and also on 24th April. That said, it appears that Ameer wasn’t very pleased with the government’s decision. “Those who can pay the toll, like myself, let them pay. We need to have a targeted subsidy, the model we are using now is incorrect,” the CEO argued.
Besides Mydin, other businesses will no doubt also be impacted.
Source: MalaysiaKini.
