KUCHING, Aug 26: Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian has denied rumours claiming that Sarawak government has run out of money, hence the delay in special Covid-19 allowance for medical frontliners payout.
He said the delay was due to Sarawak Health Department, which has yet to submit the latest, updated name list to the state government.
“The list must be submitted by Sarawak Health Department and then it goes to the State government before we can pay. Furthermore, the names of those who are eligible lies on the department, not the state government.
“This is due to the fact that this name list will change. If we pay according to the list from March, then there will be many others who will be left out because they joined as frontliners in April or May and so on,” Dr Sim told reporters after handing over 723 pieces of various personal protective equipment (PPE) and eight new vehicles to Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) today.
