KUCHING: Local businesses have expressed their gratitude for assistance provided by the state government to ease the burden of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and movement control order (MCO).
Such measures include the recently announced Sarawakku Sayang Assistance Package 2.0, the state government’s second economic aid package worth RM1.1 billion, targeted at SMEs and micro enterprises.
Olivia Ting, general manager and executive director of Meritin Hotel here, commended the state government for being proactive and wise in formulating these measures at this time of unforeseen hardship faced by the people.
“SMEs, hawkers, and petty traders are among the hardest hit by the MCO — the majority with no income since the MCO started.
“As one of the SMEs affected by this crisis, an interest-free loan for the next three and a half years will certainly ease cash flow for our hotel business,” she said, referring to one of the four measures detailed under the new package.
She said the tourism industry would continue to be affected as people would remain cautious even if the MCO is lifted.
She said that thanks to the state government leaders’ and taxpayers’ prudence in saving and spending, there were now funds to cope with the present dire situation.
“However, as good as it sounds, our government’s efforts in offering financial assistance to all the rakyat during this disastrous time would involve a hefty sum. My worry would be the financial obligation that may be imposed on the rakyat when the assistance period is over,” she told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
“At this moment, we can only hope for the best that our leaders continue to run our state and country for the betterment of mankind and humanity,” said Ting.
Juat Siang Café owner Kapitan Lim Chuan Chan also fully supported and appreciated the efforts of the state government to provide financial assistance to Sarawakians during this critical period.
“The Sarawakku Sayang Assistance Package 2.0 will definitely be of great help in one way or another for all SME entrepreneurs in the state,” he said.
He hoped that the state government would announce more assistance packages in the near future to further boost the state’s economy.
