By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, March 23: Sarawak government has introduced its own monthly cash payout of RM250 for six months called Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang for the B40 income group.
This was among the 13 initiatives announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg as part of the economic aid package, which amounted to more than RM1 billion, to assist the people in mitigating the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
“About 430,000 Sarawakians from the low income category, the B40 group, will be provided with a monthly cash payout of RM250 for six months.
“This measure will cost Sarawak government RM645 million,” he told a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
Abang Johari who is also the state Finance Minister, added that a 50 per cent discount will be provided for rental of housing development corporation (HDC) houses rental scheme covering a period of six months, up to September 2020.
He believed the assistance is expected to benefit more than 3,200 customers renting HDC houses throughout Sarawak.
Abang Johari said a discount of 25 per cent on annual assessment rate above the RM400 threshold will be given to residential, commercial, industrial and special purpose holdings for this year. The measure will benefit more than 185,000 premises.
He believed the measure will ease the burden of the people and business owners and cost Sarawak government RM74.58 million this year.
Abang Johari said Sarawak government will provide waiver of permits and licences fees to traders, hawkers, night market traders, tamu (market) and bazaar Ramadan operations.
The waiver will benefit over 2 million permits and licence holders in the various local authorities throughout Sarawak. He believed it will ease the burden of the people and will cost the state RM8.24 million this year. — DayakDaily
