PETALING JAYA: Malaysians have taken to social media to welcome the RM150bil Pemulih aid package, but at the same time urge the government to be transparent and efficient in its delivery.

       Many are bracing themselves for a longer period under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), while some are calling on the government to ensure transparency and efficiency in the delivery.

       Facebook user Alan Chye said that even after the daily Covid-19 cases go below 1,000, the NRP will still be necessary.

       “We still need to recover. Hopefully, with the current moratorium, some people would have extra cash flow,” he said.

       Simon Chin said on Facebook that it was of utmost importance to ensure that the daily infection figures go down instead of blaming the restrictions during the recovery phases.

       “(As) most are abiding by the rules, the real sources of infections need to be traced. An over-dependence on herd immunity through vaccination is not a cure-all as evident in other countries. Infections and deaths from the virus are still real,” he said.

       Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the Pemulih aid package - the eighth stimulus package to date - that focuses on three core areas, which are continuing the Prihatin Rakyat agenda, supporting businesses and boosting national vaccination.

       Among the initiatives are a six-month loan moratorium for all borrowers regardless of their income group, a RM300,000 allocation to each MP to expand the food basket assistance to help affected groups in their respective constituencies, continued wage subsidies in Phase 2 of the NRP and various other aid meant to give temporary relief to the people.

       Chye said he was looking forward to seeing the MPs utilise the allocation to expand the food basket assistance.

       Similarly, Pang Jinpeng and Nick Baldman, meanwhile, hoped that MPs would use the money fairly to help the needy.

       Twitter user @SMLow agreed, saying that transparency was needed to ensure “food baskets reach those in need”

       Twitter user @Lisa A said banks should act fast and be more cooperative, referring to the loan moratorium and other financing schemes.

       “Many people need such help,” she said.

       Another user, @Maestro was concerned if the loan moratorium would come with additional interest, while @Meow Meow opined that such assistance would only be meaningful when it is interest-free.

       On Facebook, Fong Cw said it would better “if the income tax for all business is waived for 2021.”

       Rosewell Wilson said the government should “keep strict standard operating procedures for industries so that the economy and businesses won’t collapse.”

       On vaccinating the people, Ricardo White said on Facebook that other than speed, “efficiency, competency and effectiveness” are essential in managing and running the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.