By Ling Hui
KUCHING, June 19: Coffeeshops selling drinks will soon be included as one of the beneficiaries of the sixth Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS 6.0) as they will be considered as hawkers the same as stalls selling food.
State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, in stating this, revealed that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will be making a more detailed announcement on the BKSS 6.0 for mid and long-term measures next month.
Other than for coffesshops, he said the announcement would also involve stimulus packages for small and medium entreprises (SMEs) and factories.
“Our Chief Minister has specially approved to include coffeeshops selling drinks as hawkers so that the owners can also apply for the RM1,5000 financial aid under BKSS 6.0.
“Next month, he will be announcing this with more details on the BKSS mid and long-term (measures) involving SMEs, factories and so on,” he said when attending the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng’s Facebook live session as one of the invited guests today.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Local Government and Housing, said the aid for coffeeshops was considered and later approved by the Sarawak government following a proposal submitted by the Coffee Merchants Association where it was highlighted that the coffeeshops were never covered in any of the categories, be it under Sarawak’s BKSS or the federal’s Pemerkasa packages.
On the same topic, Wee urged those who are in need of the government’s attention and help during the Covid-19 pandemic to submit their proposals through appropriate channels and not on social media alone so that they can be heard.
“If you want to solve problems, please use the appropriate channels. If you only talk on social media, that is purely for publicity and it will not help,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also noted some 1,153 licensed coffeeshops in Kuching South and the complete list will be submitted to the Ministry for compilation.
Also present in the Facebook live today was Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting. — DayakDaily
