Circular No 093/2020
Dated 9 Apr 2020

To Members of the Malaysian Bar

Clarification on the Expanded Wage Subsidy Programme under the PRIHATIN Stimulus Package

We refer to Circular No 092/2020 entitled “Additional Measures under the PRIHATIN Package and Definition of SMEs” dated 6 Apr 2020, and the expanded Wage Subsidy Programme (“WSP”) which was announced by the Prime Minister on 6 Apr 2020 as part of the additional measures under the PRIHATIN stimulus package.¹  Under WSP, employers will receive three months of wage subsidy assistance.  The wage subsidy assistance ranges from RM600 to RM1,200 per month for each employee earning RM4,000 or below.

Upon clarifying with the Social Security Organisation (“SOCSO”) (Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial, “PERKESO”) customer service officers,² we can now confirm that law firms are entitled to apply for WSP.  Based on Question 10 of the “Frequently-Asked-Questions” (“FAQ”) on the Movement Control Order No 4 issued by the Ministry of Human Resources dated 7 Apr 2020,³ employers registered with a regulatory body of professional services (pihak berkuasa Perkhidmatan Profesional), are entitled to apply for WSP.  This would include law firms.  

Law firms must however fulfil the following conditions:

(1) the law firm had registered with the Bar Council before 1 Jan 2020 and commenced operations before 1 Jan 2020;
(2) the law firm has at least one employee; and
(3) the law firm is registered with PERKESO.

The tentative deadline to apply is 15 Sept 2020, subject to funds allocated by the Government.  The application can be made at http://prihatin.perkeso.gov.my/ starting today, 9 Apr 2020 (Thursday).

With regard to the requirement of providing proof of registration with the Bar Council, we have written to PERKESO and provided a list of all firms registered with the Bar Council and a list of all firms established prior to 1 Jan 2020.  We have asked PERKESO to utilise the list when dealing with applications from law firms rather than requiring individual letters from each law firm.  PERKESO has yet to reply regarding this suggestion.

In the event that PERKESO insists on individual letters from law firms, Members can contact our Membership Department by email at membership@malaysianbar.org.my to request for a letter confirming their law firms’ registration with the Bar Council.

We hope that the information provided here is of assistance to Members.  We will update Members as and when there are new developments.

Thank you.

A G Kalidas
Secretary
Malaysian Bar

¹ “Speech by YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Haji Mohd Yassin, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Additional PRIHATIN SME Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN SME+)”, Prime Minister’s Office, 6 Apr 2020.

² “Senarai nombor telefon Anggota Khidmat Pelanggan”, Official Website of PERKESO.

³ “Soalan Lazim (FAQ) Berkaitan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan, Kementerian Sumber Manusia, Bilangan 4”, Kementerian Sumber Manusia, 7 Apr 2020.