By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, May 28: Domestic, commercial and industry premises will continue to enjoy 25 to 30 per cent discount on assessment rates in the second half of 2021 (2H21).
This is one of the measures announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the unveiling of the sixth special assistance package called Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 6.0 at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
“Discount of 25 per cent will be for yearly assessment rate above RM400 and 30 per cent discount for yearly assessment rate of RM400 for residential, commercial, industry and special premises starting July until December 2021.
“This measure will benefit 185,000 premises under the local council and at the same time reduce the burden of traders in Sarawak.
“The overall cost of the discount is estimated to be RM54 million and it will be borne by the Sarawak government,” he said during the announcement of BKSS 6.0 here today.
Earlier this year, Abang Johari who is also Finance and Economic Planning Minister had announced the BKSS 5.0 which include discount on assessment rates from January to June 2021.
Apart from that, he added 50 per cent rental discount given to traders and hawkers will be continued from July to December 2021.
He noted the discount will benefit 10,000 hawkers who are registered for stalls at market under the local council.
Abang Johari outlined that the total discount on rental which amounted to RM1.7 million will be borne by the Sarawak government.
Moreover, he said the 50 per cent rental discount on Housing Development Corporation (HDC) housing scheme will continue to be implemented from July to December 2021 adding that the measure will benefit 3,200 tenants with an estimated cost of RM2.6 million.
He emphasised that the Sarawak goverment has extended the BKSS 6.0 to sustain the livelihoods of the people impacted by the Movement Control Order (MCO) and the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).
Abang Johari revealed that a total of 15 measures will be implemented under BKSS 6.0 with nine measures involving cash incentives and six measures on discount incentives.
He disclosed that the 15 measures under BKSS 6.0 will incur an expenditure of RM1.4 billion on the Sarawak government including ongoing measures that have been taken to reduce the burden and assist the people in the current trying times.
The State government, Abang Johari reiterated will continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the people.
“Together with my colleagues in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), we will continue and are committed to work hard to serve our people,” he added.
Meanwhile, the GPS government had spent a total of RM3.1 billion in rolling out five BKSS packages since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and the implementation of various phases of MCO.
Among those present at the press conference were Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. — DayakDaily
