KUCHING: Senator Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian has called on the opposition to not politicise the Sarawak government’s Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid (BKSS) 5.0.
He said it was immature of politicians to burden the state government with false and misleading allegations.
“The opposition in the state should not politicise the noble efforts of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“They should also not link the BKSS 5.0 as an assistance for the election scheduled to take place this year,” he said in a statement today.
Jaziri said the people were a priority when they are hit by disasters at this time and the elected people’s representatives must carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them.
The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sarawak chairman said the BKSS 5.0 package worth RM405 million announced by Abang Johari last Thursday was timely in easing the burden of Sarawakians for the next six months.
Among the initiatives are five to 25 percent discount on electricity and water bills, 25 percent discount on the annual gate tax rate assessment of more than RM400, and 50 percent rental discount on the state Housing Development Corporation’s scheme.
Jaziri also noted the aid package would assist traders, especially small and medium entrepreneurs (SME), in ensuring that their business could be maintained and employment could continue.
Among the efforts that can have a big impact on SMEs include a 50 percent rental discount on market and stalls under local authorities and the exemption of payment of permits and business licenses to traders, hawkers, night market traders and guest markets.
“Apart from that, the state government’s concern continued with the exemption of rental payments to SMEs operating in business premises owned by statutory bodies and state-owned companies as well as the postponement of payment of the Small and Medium Industry Loan Scheme from January to June this year.
“In fact, the provision of a 30 percent discount on withholding tax payments involving residential, commercial, industrial, large-scale plantations and public facilities, as well as the postponement of one-time payment of land premiums for 2021 involving agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial land as well as public and private institutions between businesses, will definitely have a positive impact on the SME economy.”
Jaziri also said the BKSS 5.0 was in line with the announcement of the Malaysian Economic and Rakyat’s Protection Assistance Package (Permai) worth RM15 billion by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Jan 18.
