By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 21: More than 10,000 traders throughout Sarawak will continue to enjoy 50 per cent discount for market and stalls rental for another six months until June 2021.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced this as one of the 11 measures under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 5.0 via Zoom conferencing today.
“This assistance will benefit more than 10,000 traders registered with the local authorities.
“The amount of discount totalling RM1.6 million will be borne by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government,” he said.
In addition, payment for business permit and licenses for traders, hawkers, night market traders and farmer market traders will also be exempted.
“This will involved a cost of RM8.3 million to the GPS government,” he added.
Abang Johari pointed out that the payment exemption was intended to reduce the burden of business operators and traders registered with the local authorities throughout Sarawak.
On another measure, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in premises owned by Statutory Bodies and State Goverment-Link Companies (GLC) will be exempted from rental payments from January until June 2021.
He explained that it will involved SMEs operating in premises owned by Statutory Bodies and GLC such as Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) and Bintulu Development Authority (BDA).
The BKSS 5.0 which encompasses 11 measures and costing RM405 million overall, he reiterated, was aim at reducing the burden of Sarawakians until June 2021.
As most parts of Sarawak are under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), Abang Johari said that major sectors of economy are still running as usual except for inter-zone movement.
As such he hoped that the assistance granted including discounts on electricity and water bills may cut down business operation costs. — DayakDaily
