Chamber commends state’s special aid package

KUCHING: The Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid Package by the state government is a people-centric initiative which offers financial relief and assistance to various strata and segments of the society, said Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCGCCI) secretary-general Jonathan Chai Voon Tok.

He believed that the package would be well-received by Sarawakians, pointing out that the 16 measures under the initiative included electricity and water bill discounts ranging from five to 25 percent, 25 percent discount on assessment rate, 30 percent discount on land rent, and more.

“This will help to bring down the cost of living for Sarawakians and also reduce operation costs for the business community,” he said.

Chai added the package augured well for the business sector, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which had been adversely affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Furthermore, on top of the existing RM30mil micro-credit funds, the state government will offer an additional RM20mil for SMEs to expand and sustain their businesses,” he said.

  Chai pointed out that these measures would serve to ease the cash flows of many business operators, especially considering that almost all of them would be unable to generate any income for their businesses during the movement control order period of 14 days.

“We hope that the relevant minister assigned to oversee the application of these micro-credit funds will publicise the guidelines or details as soon as possible to make it accessible to all,” he said.

He pointed out that the special aid package also comprised a monthly cash assistance of RM250 for six months to those in the B40 (low-income) group, with an estimated 430,000 Sarawakians from the low-income group expected to benefit.

He said that the pay-out would certainly alleviate the financial burden of this low-income group in the challenging economy.

“Their expenditures would also provide some spin-off effects to our local economy,” said Chai.

He lauded the provision of food, special monthly incentives, and personal protective equipment (PPE) under the package for frontline personnel involved in the fight against Covid-19.

“This serves as a noble gesture from Sarawak to acknowledge and honour the sacrifice and commitment of the frontliners who are risking their lives to contain the outbreak of Covid-19,” he said.