By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 28: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has spent a total of RM4.5 billion to date in extending six special aid packages under the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020 followed by various stages of Movement Control Order (MCO) in efforts to reduce the burden on the people.
This includes BKSS 6.0 which was just announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in a special press conference today that involved a total cost of RM1.4 billion in the form of cash aid, subsidies, discount incentives and food aid.
The BKSS 6.0 involved a total of 15 measures with nine measures involving cash incentives and six measures on discount incentives.
The latest aid and benefits were rolled out after the Sarawak government imposed a statewide MCO starting tomorrow (May 29) until June 11 to curb the spike of Covid-19 cases.
Previously, the GPS government had spent a total RM3.1 billion under BKSS 1.0 to BKSS 5.0 to sustain the livelihood of people and alleviate their burden since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March last year.
Throughout the implementation of BKSS 6.0, Abang Johari pointed out that measures under BKSS 5.0 are still ongoing which comprised 11 measures including 30 per cent discount on land tax, deferment of land premium payment, exception for hotel and logging house license payment, Graduates Towards Entrepreneurship Programme (Gerak), Technical and Vocational Entrepreneurs (USTEV), Sarawak Micro Credit Scheme for small and medium enterprises, interest subsidies for targeted relief and recovery facility, zero interest rate for three and a half years under Micro Credit Scheme, Small and Medium Industry Loan Scheme (SPIKS), Go Digital Sarawak Programme and digital marketing training.
The State government, Abang Johari reiterated will continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the people.
“Together with my colleagues in GPS, we will continue and are committed to work hard to serve our people,” he added. — DayakDaily
