BKSS Extended For Another Three Months

KUCHING / 23/10/2020

Following is Statement by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Johari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg on the extension (BKSS 4.0):

BANTUAN KHAS SARAWAKKU SAYANG 4.0  (BKSS 4.0)

EXTENDING SEVEN (7) BKSS MEASURES FROM OCTOBER UNTIL DECEMBER 2020 TO REDUCE COST OF LIVING AND COST OF DOING BUSINESS 

Over the past six months, GPS Government had implemented BKSS 1.0, BKSS 2.0 and BKSS 3.0 worth RM2.55 billion and has benefitted about 3.08 million beneficiaries from various group such as the B40 groups, frontliners, transportation sector, tourism sector and businesses sector.

In view of the recent surge in the COVID-19 cases throughout the country that has affected businesses and livelihood of the rakyat, the State Government has decided to extend seven measures that will lessen the impact of the pandemic until end of this year. The seven (7) extended measures under BKSS 4.0 which I am going to announce will have cost implication to Sarawak Government a total sum of RM104.84 million.

The seven measures are as follows: 

1. Electricity Bill Discount; 

2. Water Bill Discount; 

3. HDC Rental Discount of 50% for residential; 

4. One-off RM500 assistance to e-hailing driver and driver instructors;

5. 50% Discount for Rental of Market and Stalls;

6. Waiver of Permits and Licenses Fees; and 

7. Waiver for Rentals to SMEs in Retail Sector Operating on Premises Owned by State GLCs/Statutory Bodies.

The details of the above seven measures are as follows:

MEASURE 1: ELECTRICITY BILL DISCOUNT 

Domestic, Commercial and Industrial consumers will continue to be given discount of 5% to 25% on their monthly electricity bill for October until December 2020. The discounts will benefit 686,847 users throughout Sarawak and the cumulative cost of discount amounting RM83.4 Million will be borne by Sarawak Government.

MEASURE 2: WATER BILL DISCOUNT

Domestic, Commercial and Industrial consumers will continue to be given discount of 10% to 25% on their monthly water bill for October until December 2020. These special one-off discounts will benefit 568,247 consumers throughout the State. The cumulative cost of discounts are RM12.6 Million and this special one-off discount will be borne by Sarawak Government. 

MEASURE 3: HDC RENTAL DISCOUNT OF 50% FOR ADDITIONAL 3-MONTHS

A discount of 50% for rental of HDC Houses rental scheme covering a period of three (3) more months from October to December 2020. This assistance is expected to benefit more than 3,200 customers renting HDC houses throughout Sarawak. 

MEASURE 4: ONE-OFF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO E-HAILING DRIVERS AND DRIVING INSTRUCTORS

In July 2020, Sarawak Government had assisted relevant players in the transportation sector that are badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic such as taxi drivers, school bus and van operators, licensed van operators and  penambang operators in the State. 

Now, not leaving out the e-hailing drivers, my Cabinet has decided to extend similar assistance to 2,396 e-hailing drivers and 791 driving instructors in the State. The RM500 one-off assistance will cost Sarawak Government RM1.59 Million.

MEASURE 5: DISCOUNT FOR RENTAL OF MARKET AND STALLS

A discount of 50% for rental of market and stalls covering a period of three (3) more months up to December 2020. This assistance is expected to benefit more than 10,000 hawkers renting the market and stalls particularly under the purview of the Local Councils. This will cost the Sarawak Government RM0.8 Million.

MEASURE 6: WAIVER OF PERMITS AND LICENSES FEES 

Sarawak Government will continue to provide waiver of permits and licenses fees to traders, hawkers, night market traders and tamu operators. The waiver will benefit permits and licensed holders in the various local authorities throughout Sarawak. This will ease the burden of the rakyat and will cost Sarawak Government RM4.12 Million. 

MEASURE 7: WAIVER FOR RENTALS TO SMEs IN RETAIL SECTOR OPERATING ON PREMISES OWNED BY STATE GLCs/STATUTORY BODIES 

Sarawak Government will also continue to extend the waiver of rentals to SMEs in the retail sectors which are operating on premises owned by Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) such as SEDC, Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) and Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) for a further period of 3-months until December 2020. 

CONCLUSION

Over the past six months, the GPS Government had received positive feedbacks from the rakyat and frontlines who have benefitted greatly from the BKSS assistance. I sincerely hope this further extension of BKSS until year end will provide the much needed relieve by our people who are badly affected by the pandemic. 

Thank You.

Sumber dari : Sarawakku