By Kaki Bedal
A lot of chatter these days concerns how badly hit the business sector has been experiencing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the current government has taken action to help with the latest aid packages announcement, most unfortunate is how little others in the private sector try to also move in the same direction.
As it is profit driven, the private sector is understandably cautious despite having CSR programmes to help the poor and unfortunate from time to time.
The masses, however, might like to know one entity that has taken action to help business and consumers grow together, economically speaking.
It is none other than Grab.
And while many are aware of the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s latest Permai aid package, one should also noticed by Barisan Nasional Chairman and also Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi acknowledgement of Grab in helping regenerate business.
Zahid recently praised Grab for reducing the commission ceiling by up to five per cent for all food and mart merchants nationwide up to four weeks.
In a statement, Grab explained that this was part of several support measures to help its merchant partners cope with the loss of dine-in customers following the implementation of the Movement Control Order 2.0.
With MCO coming back into play involving all states except one, it is important for others to emulate Grab’s business and social friendly approach.
In another initiative to support its restaurant partners, Grab will absorb all costs for self-pick up orders made via the Grab App.
It also temporarily reduce commission to zero percent if customers choose to pick up their orders themselves.
A socially conscious company has seen Grab taken disabled people to work, something other companies should have done too.
One disabled person who appreciates that is delivery rider Muhammad Sidek Osman, easily my identifiable riding on a modified four-wheeled motorbike to drop off food, said reports.
Because of birth complications, he is stooped and shorter than average at 108 centimetres (3.5 feet), making even climbing stairs a challenge but Grab should pe praised for taking a chance with him and other disabled persons.
Saying that the government allocated RM24 million to fund their full contribution under Socso’s Self-Employment Social Security Scheme with almost 32,000 applications from delivery riders received under the scheme.
Under Perikatan Nasional government had probably learn a thing or two from Grab as the company showed how one should react or act to tackle business concerns, mostly by acting fast to address them.
For example, Grab said that it would continue campaign to help neighbourhood business by giving more visibility, awareness and promotions to support local business including food courts.
If last year is any indication, with 43 per cent increase in sales, Grab is leading by example.
A better overall information is on grab.com/my which will allow readers to understand fully how the e-hailing entity had grown and had been among the few that is conscious in helping the economic sector to grow again despite current challenges. – BACALAHMALAYSIA/AFP
- The writer is an experienced analyst and media practitioner of nearly 30 years in the industry
