KUCHING: Sarawak Entrepreneur Association (SEA) president Nizam Khalyd urges the state government to work closely with the federal government to continue the Wage Subsidy Programme, which Sarawak was left out of in the previous movement control order (MCO).
He said this would certainly have a positive impact during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially for businesses who decided to close their operations in view of the MCO.
He welcomed the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) 6.0 package which was unveiled last Friday, involving an allocation of RM1.4 billion to ease the burden of Sarawakians in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We welcome the Sarawak government’s measures, especially relief incentives that focus on the micro enterprises,” he said when contacted yesterday.
He also applauded incentives such as the special grant worth RM97.5 million to hawkers and petty traders registered with the local councils; incentives for boat operators, vehicle operators, e-hailing drivers; and special assistance for the tourism industry, particularly homestay operators and tourist operators.
“Furthermore, entrepreneurs currently operating at premises owned by government-linked companies and in Sarawak be exempted from paying their rent from July to December,” he said.
Nizam expressed appreciation that, in total, the Sarawak government led by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had allocated about RM4.5 billion through this newly announced package and the previous five BKSS packages in order to cushion the impact of the pandemic.
At the same time, he noted that as Sarawak entered the statewide MCO enforced from May 29 to June 11, many were confused with the constantly changing standard operating procedure (SOP), particularly business owners, employers, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“Nevertheless, I have noticed that many of them are willing to comply to the extent of closing their operations, as they hold onto the principle that lives are of utmost importance and it is vital to support the government collectively to break the Covid-19 chain,” he said.
