KUCHING: The Sarawak government has unveiled its third Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS 3.0) valued at RM300 million which is more inclusive to improve the livelihood of Sarawakians who have been affected by Covid-19.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the BKSS 3.0 contained seven measures to address the wellbeing of the people.
The measures covered the B40 group, single Sarawakians, hawkers, petty traders, frontline personnel, boat, van and school bus operators, taxi drivers, licensed tourist and park guides including media personnel.
“I received a lot of good feedback from the recipients of the past two assistances that have enabled them to lighten their financial burden and sustain their livelihood and businesses.
“I also received feedback that many are still struggling and require further assistances. As a caring government, we are very concerned and therefore, I have come up with the third BKSS,” he said when announcing the assistance in a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
Among the seven measures announced under BKSS 3.0 are:
• Incentive for eligible B40 households including single Srawakians earning income below RM2,000 per month.
Under this measure, the state government will assist the B40 group earning RM4,000 below with cash payment of RM1,500 to an additional 30,000 households in Sarawak who were not listed under the earlier BKSS 1.0.
The state will also give one-ff cash payment of RM500 to 377,806 single Sarawakians aged 21 years and above and earning income below RM2,000.
This measure costs the state government RM234 million.
• Additional special grant of RM750 to hawkers and petty traders registered with local authorities through Sarawak Pay.
Under this measure, the state government will provide additional special grant of RM750 on top of the RM1,500 special grant announced in the BKSS 2.0 to hawkers and petty traders registered with local authorities and it will be paid in September 2020.
With this additional grant, each hawker and petty trader will receive a total grant of RM2,250.
This additional assistance costs the state government RM48.75 million.
• Special monthly incentives for the frontline personnel involved during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In acknowledging the contribution and sacrifices of the other frontline personnel who are directly exposed to risks while performing their duty, the state government has extended the incentive of RM200 per month for six months under these groups.
The recipients are 358 Royal Malaysian Customs frontline personnel who are working tirelessly in entry points, ports and airports throughout Sarawak; 870 local authorities frontline personnel assisting in carrying out emergency services, inspection works as well as sanitation works at designated premises throughout Sarawak; 887 fire and rescue (Bomba) frontline personnel for carrying out emergency services and sanitation works especially at high risk areas during this trying time; 500 Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) frontline personnel assisting the police and armed forces in ensuring MCO is duly complied.
This measure costs state government RM3.2 million.
• Incentive for boat owners and operators registered with Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB).
Under this, 199 registered boat owners and operators will receive a one-off cash payment of RM500 to cushion the impact of income loss due to low demand for their services during this pandemic.
This assistance costs the state government RM99,500.
• Incentive for licensed van operators, taxi drivers, school bus and van operators.
Under this, the Sarawak government will provide a one-off cash assistance of RM600 to 959 licensed van operators, 1,976 taxi drivers and 739 school bus or van operators in the state. This assistance costs the state RM2.20 million.
• Special grant assistance to licensed tourist and park guides.
Tourist and park guides have lost jobs caused by the cancellation of tourist and no booking for the next six months, the state therefore will provide a special grant of RM1,500 to 145 tourist guides and 113 park guides in the state to ease their financial burden. This coss the state RM0.39 million.
• Bank Simpanan National (BSN) mobile banking service in rural areas.
Under this, the state has allocated RM1.6 million capital expenditure to BSN to operate mobile bank branch services to serve the rural communities in the state.
Abang Johari hoped these measures would be able to lessen the financial burden on the people and business communities and help them to recover and regain their momentum to uplift their livelihood.
