By Karen Bong
LIMBANG, Aug 14: The RM1,500 cash aid under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 6.0 has been rolled out to a total of 1,996 licensed and non-licensed small traders and hawkers affected by Covid-19 restrictions in Limbang.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during his working visit to Limbang today presented the cash aid to the three recipients on behalf of the 1,966 small traders and hawkers in a symbolic ceremony.
The cash handouts for Limbang involving RM2.95 million will be disbursed in two phases with Phase 1 of RM750 beginning this month and Phase 2 for the remaining RM750 to be due in December this year.
At the same time, Abang Johari has also presented Sarawak Micro Credit Scheme (SMCS) assistance from Agro Bank Limbang Branch worth RM1.27 million for 46 business entrepreneurs under the B40 group.
SKMS, launched in May 11 last year, is divided into two categories with SMCS 1 for financing amount between RM1,000 and RM10,000 while SMCS 2 for financing amount between RM5,000 and RM50,000.
For SMCS 1, the minimum requirement is a business permit from the Limbang District Council and it offers a financing period from one to three years with zero profit charge.
For SMCS 2, the minimum requirement is business registration from the District Office and Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and it offers a financing period of up to five years with a four per cent profit charge.
The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of food baskets initiated by the Sarawak Scouts Council to those eligible in Limbang.
The initiative that started on July 8 was aimed at reducing the burden of those affected by the pandemic including single mothers, people with disabilities, elderly and those who have lost their jobs.
The first series of the programme was focused in Kuching Division but has since July 22 been expanded to Betong, Sibu, Sarikei, Samarahan and Lawas.
A total of 150 to 200 food baskets will be distributed in each series of the programme.
The Sarawak Scouts Council also urged the public and especially corporate bodies to donate and contribute cash or dry food to support the continuity of the food basket programme in efforts to help those in need in this difficult time.
Earlier on, Abang Johari also visited the Limbang vaccination centre located at the Limbang Civic Centre.
Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Permanent secretary to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing Datu Antonio Kahti Galis, Limbang District Council Walikota councillor Sufian Mohat and Sarawak Scouts Council Yang Dipertua Mohamad Safri Abdillah. — DayakDaily
