State government aid is timely, says Datuk Sebastian Ting

suppadmin | January 29, 2022

The launching of Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) 8.0 package worth RM 285.47 million, is indeed a welcoming move made by the Sarawak government. This BKSS 8.0 is timely to ease and reduce the financial burden of the people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Sarawak United Peoples party, Secretary General Datuk Sebastian Ting.

“As we are entering into the third year of the pandemic, it has still not shown any sign of abating and it continues to affect many Sarawakians’ livelihood and loss of their loved ones.Sadly, there is no cure for the COVID-19 except us working together to stop the spread of the virus by following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) approved by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) while going about with our lives. as well as getting ourselves vaccinated with the booster jabs, he said.

Thus, he added, our Honourable Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who understands the plights of our people has come out with seven measures to continue assisting our people and local businesses going through these difficult times.

Ting added that getting ourselves vaccinated with booster jab is important even though it is not a 100 percent foolproof that we will not get infected with COVID-19 after the booster jab. But at least we can have more immunity to fight against the virus. Precaution is better than cure.

He added that utilities are necessity in our daily lives therefore the extension of 5% – 25% discount on monthly electricity bills for domestic, commercial and industrial users from January to June 2022 is a move lauded by all households and business sectors all over Sarawak.

“Besides that, the Sarawak government is extending the 50% discount on the housing rental scheme under Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Sarawak from January to June 2022 and exemption of rental payment for SMEs operating in business premises owned by statutory bodies and state government-linked companies from January to June 2022.As for water bills, Sarawak government is providing extension of 10% – 25% discount on monthly water bills for domestic, commercial and industrial users from January to June 2022. An estimated 87,500 hawkers and small traders registered with local authorities will be getting a one-off relief payment of RM 1,000 through Sarawak Pay this year. This special grant assistance will indeed bring relief to the hawkers and small traders who have suffered tremendously during the lockdown for the past two years. Our Sarawak government also did not forget the operators of boats, passenger vans, and public and school buses as well as taxi drivers where each of them will be receiving a one-off RM 500 cash relief. Furthermore, there is the extension of 50% discount on market and stall rental under local authorities for hawkers and petty traders from January to June 2022. The Sarawak government will bear the discount totaling RM 1.7 million, ” he added.

He said as promised in the last Sarawak election, GPS government will continue to work hard for the people and to ensure all measures and policies are inclusive to benefit all groups.

With the surge of Omicron variants now in Peninsular Malaysia, I would like to remind all to remain vigilant and stay safe to protect yourself, your families and your loved ones, he said.

As Chinese New Year is just round the corner, he said he wished everyone a happy and prosperous year ahead.