Another full-scale lockdown will have bad impact on nation's economy, says ACCCIS

ACCCIS president Datuk Tan Jit Kee (centre), secretary-general Jonathan Chai (second left) and other office bearers with the organisation's business and economic conditions survey report. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: Another full-scale lockdown to curb the rising spread of Covid-19 would have an adverse impact on the nation's economic recovery, says the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak (ACCCIS).

However, the organisation's secretary-general Jonathan Chai said saving lives was also an important consideration should a lockdown be necessary.

"If the government imposes another lockdown, it will be a huge blow to the recovery of the economy and we don't want to see that happen.

"Having said that, if it really has to come to that stage, lives have to come first. We have to consider the interest and welfare of the people," he said at ACCCIS' briefing on its business and economic conditions survey report here Friday (Jan 8).

Earlier this week, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the government was looking at adopting a more targeted approach of the movement control order (MCO) to stem the rising Covid-19 cases in the country.

The nation has been reporting record daily numbers of cases this week, with the 3,027 on Thursday (Jan 7) the highest so far since the pandemic started.

In Sarawak, however, the daily figures this week have ranged from five to 14 new cases.

"We are thankful that the situation in Sarawak is very much under control compared to the peninsula," Chai said.

He said the ACCCIS survey showed that Sarawakian businesses were generally pessimistic about Malaysia's economic performance in the second half of 2020 but maintained a neutral and cautious outlook for 2021.

Of the 215 respondents, 40.5% indicated that their business did worse in the second half of 2020 compared to the first half, while14.9% said they performed better and 44.6% were neutral.

The survey was conducted on Dec 14-31 last year to assess current and future business conditions and identify the factors affecting business performance during the pandemic and various types of MCO.

"ACCCIS will convey the feedback received to the state government and relevant departments for their consideration.

"We hope the government will work with the chamber and other stakeholders to provide a stable and conducive business environment," Chai said.