By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 30: Persons with special needs (OKU) in Sarawak have called on the State government to give emphasis on the group in the implementation of Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS 6.0) stimulus package.
Malaysian Association of the Visually Impaired Sarawak Branch chairman Isak Ngau said the OKU are grateful for the BKSS 6.0 as they would also benefit from the RM250 financial aid for B40 families for six months and RM500 one-off aid for the singles.
BKSS assistance of RM250 would complement the existing assistance such as Disabled Workers Allowance (EPC) worth RM450 under the Social Welfare Department (JKM) every month.
“However, there is no specific assistance for the disabled. Therefore, I hope that the State government will consider giving one-off RM500 to registered OKU and top up RM150 in assistance received by the OKU from JKM during the Covid-19 pandemic as listed in the memorandum submitted during my meeting with the Sarawak Chief Minister recently,” he said in a statement today.
Also supporting Isak’s call are Persatuan Anak Istimewa Sarawak (Perais) president Rapelson Richard Hamit and Persatuan Insan Istimewa Daro dan Matu (Idam) chairman Antonie Zawie Demit.
He mentioned that in the BKSS 6.0 announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, it was also stated that the State government wants to help hawkers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with RM1,500 financial aid which will be given in two stages.
“The question is, what about the OKU who are doing business? Will they be eligible to receive the aid this time? This is because some of their applications for last year’s BKSS were rejected and said to be ineligible,” he added.
He hopes that this time, a total of 18 massage shop operators who are visually impaired will be given the assistance so that they do not have to go bankrupt and continue to be able to open up job opportunities for other OKU friends. — DayakDaily
