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Abang Johari announces the seven extended measures under BKSS 4.0 at a press conference. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (October 23): The state government has decided to extend seven measures under the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) until the end of this year, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced today.
This is to lessen the impact of the pandemic, in light of the recent increase in Covid-19 cases across the country that has affected businesses and people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The seven measures extended under BKSS 2020 will have a total cost implication of RM104.84 million for the Sarawak government,” he said at a press conference on the fourth BKSS or BKSS 4.0 package.
The seven measures are Electricity Bill Discount, Water Bill Discount, 50% Housing Development Corporation Rent Discount of 50% for Residential Services, One Time Assistance of RM500 for Drivers and Instructors of drivers, 50% discount for market rentals and stalls, exemption from permits and license fees, and exemption from rentals to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the retail sector that operate in premises owned by companies or statutory bodies linked to the state government.
For the discount on the electricity bill, Abang Johari explained that domestic, commercial and industrial consumers will continue to receive a discount of five percent to 25 percent on their monthly electricity bill from October until December 2020.
“The discounts will benefit 686,847 users across Sarawak and the cumulative cost of the discount amounting to RM83.4 million will be borne by the Sarawak government,” he said.
Regarding the discount on the water bill, it reported that domestic, commercial and industrial consumers will continue to receive a discount of 10 to 25 percent on their monthly water bill from October until December 2020.
“These one-time special discounts will benefit 568,247 consumers statewide. The cumulative cost of the discounts is RM12.6 million and this one-time special discount will be borne by the Sarawak government, ”he said.
Regarding the 50 percent discount for the rental of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) house rental plan that covers a period of three months from October to December 2020, the prime minister said that this assistance would benefit to more than 3,200 clients who are renting HDC homes statewide.
Abang Johari reported that the state government had also decided to expand assistance to electronic call drivers and driving instructors.
“In July 2020, the Sarawak government extended its assistance to relevant actors in the transportation sector who are severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, such as taxi drivers, van and school bus operators, licensed van operators and operators. of penambang in the state.
“Now, without neglecting the electronic call drivers, the Cabinet has decided to extend a similar assistance to 2,396 electronic call drivers and 791 driving instructors in the state. The one-time aid of RM500 will cost the Sarawak government 1.59 million ringgit, ”he said.
The fifth measure on a 50 percent discount for market and stall rentals covering a period of three months until December 2020, which is expected to benefit more than 10,000 street vendors who rent market stalls and stalls in particular the which are under the purview of city councils and will cost the Sarawak government RM0.8 million.
Abang Johari went on to say that the Sarawak government will continue to grant permit and license waivers to traders, street vendors, night market traders, and tamu operations, which will benefit permitting and licensees in the various local authorities across Sarawak. This measure will ease the burden on the population and cost the Sarawak government 4.12 million ringgit.
The state government will also continue to extend the rental exemption to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the retail sectors that operate in premises owned by Government-Related Companies (GLC) such as SEDC, Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) and Bintulu Development. Authority (BDA) for a period of three months until December 2020.
Abang Johari noted that over the past six months, the GPS government had implemented BKSS 1.0, BKSS 2.0 and BKSS 3.0 worth 2.55 billion ringgit, and has benefited about 3.08 million beneficiaries from various groups such as the B40 groups, vanguard, transport sector, tourism sector and companies.
“Over the past six months, the GPS government had received positive feedback from the rakyats and leaders who have benefited greatly from the assistance of BKSS.
“I sincerely hope that this new extension of BKSS until the end of the year will provide much needed relief to our people who are severely affected by the pandemic,” he said.
Also present were the Secretary of State of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, and the director of the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel.
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