KUCHING, May 20: Market and stall operators under Padawan Municipal Council (MPP)
who have paid their rent in full, as well as permit and licence fees for 2020, will see the amount credited to next year’s payment.
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang informed that the waivers were according to initiatives under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) rolled out by the Sarawak government this year to cushion the impact of Covid-19.
“A discount of 50 per cent is applied for rental of market and stalls under the local authorities from April 1, 2020 to Sept 30, 2020.
“Permit and licence (with expiration date until Dec 31, 2020) fees for market, stalls and hawkers have been waived 100 per cent for this year,” he said in a statement after chairing MPP full council today.
Lo added that this also applied for licensed hotels and lodging houses in which payments for licence fee for this year will automatically be credited to next year’s payment.
“However, this waiver will not include any outstanding permit and licence fee for both categories mentioned above,” he explained.
He also reminded that shopping malls and complexes are responsible to ensure their tenants comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) throughout the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period.
“This also includes food outlets and coffeeshops. Among the SOP to implement include social distancing and ensuring all workers including those handling food need to wear masks at all time,” he said.
As for Hari Raya and Gawai Dayak festivals this year, Lo reminded Sarawakians that ‘ngabang’ or visiting during the celebrations is not allowed.
“Family members are allowed to gather on the first day of the festival but there should not be more than 20 people in a day under SOP.
“Sarawakians should sacrifice from celebrating both festivities this year in order to curb the spread of Covid-19 within the community and families members,” he advised. —DayakDaily
