Prihatin Special Grants help SMEs stay afloat

Weathering the storm: SMEs benefited from the government’s help with the GKP, which allowed them to stay afloat by easing financial burdens. — Bernama

Petaling Jaya: Prihatin Special Grant (GKP) recipients say any cash assistance from the government will go a long way in helping them stay afloat.

A beverage operator identified as Tan said the cash grants were very helpful, especially during tough times due to the restrictions under the movement control order.

“The money is good enough to pay the salaries of some of our staff for a month. They need work and cannot afford to be unemployed.“Every little bit counts and we are grateful for the government’s

help in reducing our financial burden, ” said Tan, who runs a bubble tea cafe in Melaka with four employees.

She added that the online application process for GKP was also easy.

Zhan Art Space co-founder Dr Tong Gin Chee was grateful for the cash aid as her art gallery business in Jaya One here had been badly affected by the MCO and restrictions on events.

“We really appreciate the cash grant – any support from the government is more than welcome.

“As an art gallery, we depended on running events and it has been very challenging due to the standard operating procedure, ” she said.

Tong added that although the business had adapted by increasing its digital presence, there was only so much emotion and texture that can be conveyed online.

“The nature of our business is still reliant on close engagement with audiences. That is why visual arts and events’ businesses like ours are badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, ” she said.

Tong also recalled that the online application process for GKP was quite hassle-free.

“There was not a lot of stuff to submit – only necessary details.

“It was a seamless process. This is very good and efficient, considering the current times, ” she said.

Another business owner in Miri, Sarawak, who runs a small IT firm said the online application process for GKP was easy.

The businessman who wished not to be identified said the GKP initiatives were good moves by the government.

“Although the amount is not large, considering the salary levels nowadays especially in the IT sector, for small businesses like us, the cash grants still help.

“Many small business owners I know are facing cash flow difficulties and welcome the latest GKP 3.0 initiative which is open to those who had not received the previous aid, ” he said.