LIMBANG: Limbang is not spared from the economic downturn following the spread of Covid-19 and the announcement by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday night on the nationwide movement control order in the fight against the disease from March 18-31.

A random interview showed that it affected all sectors of the economy.

Esha Hana 40, a private sector worker, said that due to the absence of buyers especially from neighbouring Brunei, her employer’s business had been severely affected.

“Sadly our monthly salaries were cut by half as our employer could not pay our salaries due to shortage of foreign buyers after neighbouring Brunei enforced the ban on travel in and out of the sultanate to control the spread of the disease.

“Worst still, some of my friends working with the private sector had their services terminated,” she told the media yesterday.

Esha said the deduction in salary brought her financial problems including in paying for house rent and also the daily expenses.

“We hope that the government will take some remedial measures for people like us such as allowing flexi withdrawal of the Employees Provident Fund of three to five per cent to cover the cost of living and not relying too much on the government,” she added.

Meanwhile, car workshop operator Chua Eng Hin said his business too was severely affected as there were very few local customers and there were no customers from Brunei due to the travel restriction order.

Chua, who also provides services for Duckhems and Proton for Limbang, said he is prepared to close his workshop following the movement restriction order by the Prime Minister.

He hoped that the public would give full cooperation to the order while at the same time maintaining strict personal hygiene.