KUALA LUMPUR: The government shouldn’t ignore businesses struggling from effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, says the Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA).

       It’s chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abdullah said although they welcomed the decision by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on transitioning towards endemicity, the government should take better initiatives to assist businesses struggling to cope.

       "The FMBA, which represents 125 business chambers and associations in Malaysia as well as business entrepreneurs, found that the government has ignored businesses who are still in dire straits and need assistance to ensure continuity of their businesses," he said at a press conference on Thursday (March 10).

       He added that the among steps that could be taken by the government was the implementation of a special moratorium which was fully controlled by the government to assist already struggling businesses.

       "Throw us a lifeline at least for the next six months so that we can recover the losses incurred for the past two years," he added.