By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Jan 23: The Chinese New Year (CNY) comes early for the tenants of Kuching Municipal Council (KMC) Flats as they will enjoy 50 per cent discounts on their rental from January until June this year.
During a live Facebook session of the Kuching South City Council today Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng today and Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said they agreed to provide the discount to the tenants as a relief measure – in order to reduce their financial burden in view of the Covid-19 situation in the city.
“All tenants of rented houses developed by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in Sarawak will enjoy 50 per cent discounts.
“Therefore, rented houses in Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will also be given the 50 per cent discount, and I have approved it,” said Dr Sim when answering a request from Wee during the latter’s live Facebook session entitled “Shall Wee Talk” today.
“On the allocation, the mayor will have to write in to me on how we can reimburse the council.
“Or else, in the coming days, the mayor will request for “angpow” although salary payment is yet to be received,” he said.
Earlier, Wee requested the Ministry of Local Government and Housing (MLGH) to provide 50 per cent discount to KMC Flats residents as they were not entitled to claim the financial aid under the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 5.0 which was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg last Thursday.
Wee disclosed that the 50 per cent discount would amount to RM200,000.
Last year, KMC Flats tenants were given 50 per cent discounts on their rental payment from April to September 2020.
Wee during a live Facebook session on April 28 last year revealed that there were suggestions from the public to provide discounts for KMC Flats tenants as part of the efforts to reduce their financial burden due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic in the Kuching city.
Wee noted more than 500 tenants of KMC Flats would benefit from the 50 per cent discounts on rent between April to September 2020. —DayakDaily
