KUCHING, Apr 16: The Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid (SSSA) of RM1,500 for hawkers and petty traders to be credited into Sarawak Pay accounts will be released in two tranches with Phase 1 in April-May 2020 and Phase 2 June-July 2020.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian informed that in the first phase, RM750 will be credited between the months of April or May while the second phase will follow in June and July.
“As for those who do not have a Sarawak Pay account for certain reasons, they will be paid by cash through Bank Simpanan Nasional by May 2020 for Phase 1 and July 2020 for Phase 2,” he said in a press statement today.
The state government announced the RM1,500 grant for each registered hawker in the latest SSSA 2.0 initiatives to assist and relieve the hardship of petty traders and hawkers including eatery food stalls impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and Movement Control Order (MCO) throughout Sarawak.
Dr Sim also pointed out that stall operators in coffeeshops are also eligible for the grant but they must register with local authorities.
“The monthly permit fee of RM30 will also be waived for six months for hawkers and petty traders,” he added.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, in announcing the SSSA 2.0 initiatives on April 10 had emphasised that this special grant would benefit more than 65,000 petty traders and hawkers throughout Sarawak.
The overall cost of the grants to be borne by the Sarawak government is estimated to be RM98.4 million. —DayakDaily
