By William Isau
SIBU, Aug 14: The State government is expected to extend measures under the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) until the end of this year, including discounts for utility bills.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to the site of the Taman Selera Muhibbah reconstruction today, Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will announce the matter soon.
“There will be a new announcement on a new BKSS package for electricity and so on by the Premier soon. As we know the previous BKSS period ended on June 30,” he said.
Sim added that he had discussed the matter with Abang Johari and that “he (Abang Johari) will make a new announcement soon.”
Under the previous BKSS, monthly electricity bill discounts for domestic, commercial and industrial consumers were set at between five to 25 per cent of the bill.
These discounts benefited 686,847 users throughout Sarawak and the cumulative cost for the measure totalling RM83.4 million was borne by the Sarawak government.
Commercial and industrial consumers also enjoyed a discount of 10 to 25 per cent on their monthly water bill
These special one-off discounts benefited 568,247 consumers throughout the State. The cumulative discounts amounting to RM12.6 million was also borne by the Sarawak government.
Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting meanwhile said the 52-odd hawkers at Taman Selera Muhibbah are expected to move in to the food court by December.
Ting said upgrading work on the food court started at the end of November last year.
Among those present during the visit was Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang. — DayakDaily
