We need a WINDOW, a DASHBOARD and an ENGINE.

As we brace ourselves past the mid-point of the MCO and the stimulus package, it is high time we shift gears, as and when the package is more fine-tuned, the delivery mechanism becomes the make or break. and when we shared this idea with Tan Sri Dr. Noor Azlan Ghazali, the Executive Director of the Economic Action Council – he was all ears and has promised to bring it up to the EAC, MOF and finally cabinet. Special thanks to brother Datuk Michael Kang (President of SME Association of Malaysia) and brother Shahul Hameed (Secretary of the joint Business Sustainability Taskforce) 

Let me explain what I mean,

1. SINGLE WINDOW for implementation of all business and financing initiatives covering the economic aspects of the stimulus package – the way to move forward in a crisis situation. 

2. DASHBOARD under LAKSANA (which is under MOF) – we (specifically the business and particularly the ‘rakyat’ need a birds-eye view of what is the report card. This will restore confidence in the system. common 

3.ENGINE of growth - to rev up the engine of economic growth. Post-COVID economic recovery task force on a Public-Private Partnership model is what needed 

1. SINGLE WINDOW - While the government tweaks all the proposals that have been forthcoming from the SME community – we have made a strong case for having a single window for all economic, financial and business-related initiatives of the Stimulus package. At times of crisis – we can’t have a sew of agencies and ministries working in silos and then coming up with plans and directives that may cancel out each other’s and the nett result may not be as effective as intended by the government. 

This is the same alignment that MKN (Majlis KESELAMATAN Negara) has taken – they take control ad there is a single point of command. We need the same thing – we need that single command and control centre for business and financial plans that the government has rolled out. Now there are many coordinating it. 

2. DASHBOARD – the 1st stimulus package worth RM 20b is already in 5th week – and we have yet to see the outputs that were intended – the outcomes are probably still latent. What the ‘rakyat’ needs to know is not the intricacies of each initiative or plan – we need a 30,000 feet overview of what has been done and what is being done – key goals, measurable metrics and tracking numbers. It is not so much t even track of what is being done – the effective use of it is more a self-fulfilling prophecy. The people will have renewed confidence that the measures are working. The many sceptics amongst the M40 and civil society will at least be appeased that the system is working. It is not only important to be doing, but it is also equally important to be seen to be doing it. 

3. ENGINE of growth – the optimist in us believe there is hope. Otherwise, there will be nothing left to look forward to. The much taunted ‘V’ Shaped recovery is what many are praying for. This is one graph that you don’t want to be flattened. While estimates are out there form a quick 6-month recovery period to a protracted 3 years before we reach pre-crisis growth levels, the consensus is the road is long and bumpy. The fight will be harder as we exhaust resources and reserves in the acute phase to ensure sustainability. are abound. But one thing that we don’t have doubt it the rebuilding has to be a national effort. 

In the post-COVID phase – the private sector will need to hit the ground running, while the government puts to together a clear market-friendly policy landscape. The high performing SMEs must be given all the resources, and the promising ones given all the support. If we take that approach, then we can start clawing back on growth and economic terrain. Best way to do this again will be anchored on a One-stop centre using a Public-Private Partnership model. 

We will stand as a nation in the quest to build back the economy and regain our unique place in the region and the world. Let us keep the car ready because soon we will need to rev up her engines soon….