By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 28: The delay in payments under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) is due to applicants filling in incorrect information, leading to rejection by the computerised system.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Evaluation Committee for BKSS 7.0 has identified 22,110 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and 24,322 micro enterprises owned by Sarawak entrepreneurs who are eligible for the assistance.
As of October 2021, a total of 12,809 SMEs eligible for BKSS 7.0 have submitted their respective documents online.
However, 9,955 or 77.7 per cent were found to have submitted incomplete or inaccurate business documents and were rejected by the computer system, so the payment could not be made.
“Following that, there were a lot of complaints saying that they (eligible applicants) hadn’t received the assistance when the (online) system rejected it due to incorrect information.
“We have to use the computer (system) because there are a lot of applicants and the system has been developed to make sure that we can give the assistance as soon as possible provided that the information is correct,” he told a press conference held at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
Abang Johari stressed that computers could detect any mistake made in filling in the online applications that can cause the automated system to reject it. This then led to the delay in payment for those needing the assistance.
Therefore, he recommended those who encounter problems when filling in the application to refer to the infographics and videos from Sarawak Public Communications Unit’s (UKAS) social media platforms to guide them.
“For those in the rural or interior areas, they need to refer to their respective elected representatives’ service centre to seek help in filling in the BKSS application,” he added.
He also disclosed that the verification process is in full swing. Until January 2022, a total of RM20.6 million has been channelled to SMEs and micro-enterprises that have submitted complete business documents.
Under BKSS 7.0, special one-off financial assistance of RM10,000 is given to active SMEs in Sarawak registered with the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) as of March 31, 2021. This special financial assistance was initially scheduled to be paid in December 2021.
Meanwhile, special one-off financial assistance of RM3,000 will be given to the active micro-enterprises in Sarawak registered with SOCSO as of March 31, 2021. — DayakDaily
