KUCHING, Oct 12: Consumers in Sarawak will continue to enjoy electricity and water bills discounts for the first six months of next year.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in his Sarawak Budget 2022 statement said the Sarawak government will roll out the eighth package of the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 8.0 worth RM285.47 million that includes various initiatives and one-off financial assistances for the first half of next year benefiting consumers, taxi drivers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“There will be an electricity bill discount of RM166.8 million benefiting 647,000 beneficiaries as well as a water bill discount of RM24 million benefiting 646,131 beneficiaries.
Besides that, there will also be a 50 per cent Housing Development Corporation (HDC) rental discount of RM2.6 million benefiting 3,200 tenants.
A waiver of rental to SMEs in retail sector operating on premises owned by State Government-linked-Companies (GLCs) of RM2 million will also be meted out, while a 50 per cent rental discount for rental of market and stall belonging to the local authorities amounting to RM1.7 million benefiting 10,165 tenants is also included.
“One-off incentives of RM500 will be given to 1,725 owners and operators of penambang (water taxi) registered with Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), licensed van operators, taxi drivers, school bus and van operators in Sarawak amounting to RM0.87 million.
“There is also a one-off special grant of RM1,000 to 87,500 hawkers and petty traders through Sarawak Pay of RM87.5 million, “ he said.
Abang Johari said the State government had provided direct and indirect financial support to the people and to revive the State’s economy through BKSS 1.0 to BKSS 7.0 worth RM5.3 billion in 2020 and 2021 as measures to reduce the impact of Covid-19. — DayakDaily
