Sebastian Ting praises Sarawak government assistance to SME

suppadmin | August 6, 2021

Sarawak government launched the Special Assistance Program 7.0 to help recovery the economic sector, so that the business sector affected by the epidemic can receive the assistance it deserves in a timely manner to solve the urgent needs and prepare to meet future challenges, said Piasau State Assemblyman, Datuk Sebastian Ting.

Ting said Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari presented the Sarawak Special Assistance Program 7.0″ (BKSS 7.0) on his birthday with a total of more than 800 million ringgits to the business community and the industrial and commercial sectors of the whole Sarawak. In order to alleviate the plight of the industry, so that the company can move towards recovery.

He said as Sarawak is about to enter the third phase of the national recovery plan, this announcement is in time. At present, we are waiting for the advice of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee to consult medical experts to formulate the standard operating procedures for the third phase of the national recovery plan. Once the standard operating procedures are released and promulgated, the third phase can be entered.

“In the third phase of the national recovery plan, it is believed that more economic sectors will be allowed to operate and open up. Sarawak Special Assistance Package 7.0″ is divided into 3 measures, namely, to provide a one-time special financial assistance of 10,000 ringgits for active Sarawak enterprises registered under the Social Insurance Organization (SOCSO) and relax government procurement policies to support Construction companies and relaxed work permit renewals provide support to companies that require foreign employees.Among them, the provision of a one-time special financial assistance of RM10,000 for active companies in Sarawak will involve the Sarawak government’s expenditure of more than RM400 million, benefiting approximately 40,000 active companies in Sarawak. Active Sarawak companies registered under the Social Insurance Agency as of December 31, 2020 will benefit from it, ” he added.

The special financial aid will be distributed in two batches, with 5,000 ringgits in September, and the remaining 5,000 ringgits will be distributed in December 2021.

According to media reports, Mohd Abdullah Zadir, Director of the Economic Planning Unit of the Sarawak Commissioner’s Office, confirmed that the Sarawak government issued the “Sarawak Special Assistance Package” based on the list of merchants and enterprises in Sarawak provided by the Social Insurance Organization (SOCSO). 7.0″ financial aid of RM10,000. Therefore, qualified merchants and enterprises do not need to submit an application.

The RM10,000 financial aid is to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in Sarawak to tide over the difficulties caused by the coronavirus epidemic, and to pay for their operating costs, including rent and employee salaries.

In addition, due to the global impact of the epidemic, the prices of certain construction materials have risen sharply. Therefore, the Sarawak government will relax government procurement policies during the epidemic and allow price changes in government construction contracts. In response, the Sarawak government estimates that it will have to bear about 400 million ringgits to allow price changes.

Regarding the relaxation of work permit renewal, Sarawak’s work permit renewal for local agriculture, mining, construction and service industries has been extended to December 31, 2022, enjoying the same measures as the plantation industry.

The Sarawak People’s United Party, he added, is fully committed to the Sarawak Special Assistance Program 7.0″ and believes that Sarawak’s business and industrial and commercial sectors can benefit from it. Prior to this, the Sarawak government has launched six special aid packages, covering all classes and fields, which proves that the Sarawak Coalition Government is sympathetic to the people of Sarawak and has taken practical actions to help the people.

He said at a time when West Malaysia’s politics is caught in endless turmoil, the Sarawak Party Alliance has always focused on Sarawak and the people, and has never stopped helping the people and businesses. This is Sarawak’s priority concept. The Sarawak People’s United Party has never stopped, actively assisting people from all walks of life, and working hand in hand with Sarawakians to overcome the epidemic.