By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 8: The state has injected another RM300 million into the state economy via the third package of Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS 3.0) to cushion the impact of Covid-19 on the people.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, in announcing this today, listed seven measures under the BKSS 3.0, which were more inclusive to improve the well being and livelihood of the people.
“About a month ago, I have announced BKSS 1.0 and followed by BKSS 2.0, which were worth RM2.25 billion overall, are mainly to address the pain points of societal needs as well as industries’ needs across all levels of societal classes and scale of business entities.
“I received a lot of good feedback from the recipients on the assistances that have enable them to lighten their financial burden and sustain their livelihood and businesses. I also received feedback that many are still struggling and require further assistances,” he told a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
Under the seven measures, he announced incentives that will benefit B40 group including single individuals, hawkers, petty traders, frontline personnel involved in Covid-19 fight, river taxi operators, licensed van operators, taxi drivers, as well as licensed tourist and park guides.
The measures would also support the expansion of banking services to rural areas with Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) mobile bank branch equipped with automated teller machines (ATMs).
With the overall BKSS 2020 totalled RM2.55 billion, Abang Johari said: “I hope these measures will be able to lessen the financial burden of the people and business communities and help them to recover and regain their momentum to uplift their livelihood.”
Meanwhile, the state government announced the BKSS 1.0 on Mar 23, 2020 involving RM1.15 billion to help the low and medium income groups in Sarawak, on top of the stimulus package known as Prihatin Package announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Mar 27.
Following the announcement of BKSS 1.0, many small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) as well as petty traders also raised that their needs that their livelihood was as badly affected due to the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO) where all businesses were asked to put on hold to effectively combat Covid-19.
Subsequently, BKSS 2.0 valued at RM1.1 billion was annouced on April 10, where special attention was given to these struggling businessmen and traders.— DayakDaily
(Note: This story has been updated.)
