By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Apr 3: Having confidence in the Sarawak government, the local business community is expecting a second stimulus package to be announced on April 16.
Sarawak Federation of Associations president Datuk Richard Wee revealed that the business community in Sarawak is expecting the Sarawak government to assist them in the coming second stimulus package.
Although he refused to comment on the total amount requested, he hoped that the State government would pay employees RM300 per month to top up what the federal government had approved, which is RM600 per month.
The meeting was instructed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and was supposed to be chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. However, as the latter was under self-quarantine, the meeting was chaired by Deputy State Secretary Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Marzuki.
Wee said the Second State Stimulus package is expected to be announced in April, most likely during Sarawak Legislative Assembly (Dun) scheduled on Apr 16.
When asked on the recommendations by certain quarters to use the reserve to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Wee said he would leave the matter to the State government.
“Who are we to tell the driver what to do? But we know that the Sarawak government is a caring government. So whatever money it wants to use, whether it is from the reserve or other sources oil and gas income, we leave it the Sarawak government.
There have been calls especially from Democratic Action Party (DAP) to use the State reserve for said purpose.
According to Wee, among the attendees of the meeting were the Malay Traders’ Association, Malay Chamber of Commerce, Coffeeshop associations, Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA), Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and other government agencies. —DayakDaily
