KUCHING: The RM1.4 billion Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) 6.0 is the hallmark of a government that listens, serves and cares for the people.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Backbenchers Club said the BKSS 6.0 was a reflection of a state government that was fully concerned about the plight of the people and it showed that GPS wasted little time in ensuring the welfare of the people amid the total lockdown.
“We thank the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for promptly coming up with an economic assistance package to help Sarawakians weather the financial impact of a second movement control order (MCO),” it said.
The assistance given, among others, included cash aid for B40s, six months’ allowances for frontliners, hawkers and petty traders, e-hailing drivers and tourism industry players.
It also introduced discounts to water and electricity bills, assessments rates and rental to eligible recipients.
“The BKSS 6.0 package is viewed as being all-encompassing while at the same time, the previous assistance under BKSS 5.0 announced in January will continue to be in effect.
“With the RM1.4 billion package, this took the government’s expenditure for BKSS 1.0 to 6.0 to more than RM4.5 billion,” it said.
The club added that the assistance was no small amount and the challenges faced were not small.
“We hope that thiswill help Sarawakians cushion the blow of the MCO which is implemented to bring down Covid-19 cases to a manageable level.
“The state government under GPS will continue to serve the people and through the efforts of our frontliners and the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), in containing the spike in Covid-19 cases.
“The onus is on the people to play their roles and do their part in our fight against Covid-19.”
