BY NUR ASHIKIN LOUIS & NAZMI SUHAIMI
KUCHING: While the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) 5.0 will go a long way in aiding economic recovery as well as reducing the burden of petty traders, more assistance are expected in the future, the public said.
This is to mitigate the effects of the conditional movement control order (CMCO) which is imposed state-wide as well as the movement control order (MCO) in Sibu.
They said while the business community would welcome the assistance, other walks of life — the general public — must also be assisted as they are impacted by the current economic uncertainties.
Following are comments from some members of the public.
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RACHEL REMUS, CIVIL SERVANT
The BKSS 5.0 initiatives are mainly focusing on helping businesses in our state. I’m sure this would be very helpful, especially to small business owners. However, I do hope there will be initiatives to help the rakyat in general if the CMCO or MCO continues.
HILLARY JALIN, ASSISTANT SURVEYOR
The distribution of allocations appears to be lop-sided and not all-encompassing. BKSS 5.0 seems to be targeted towards organisations and businesses as well as business operators. The initiatives are benefitting urban dwellers rather than rural folk.
ANNALIZIE BEKON JENET, IT ENGINEER
The discount on these expenses are most welcome as people are staying in their homes more and some of the employees are also working from home, therefore the potentiality for higher electricity and water bills.
NAZIRUL HAZIQ MUSA, PRIVATE SECTOR WORKER
I thank the state government for extending the initiatives such as exemption of rent at government-linked company (GLC) premises for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, there are many out there who need financial assistance and I hope they too will be assisted.
AWANG MOHAMED HAZIM, MECHANICAL ENGINEER
This shows that the state hears the plea of her people by giving such help. Although it may not help everyone in these tough times, at the very least, it can ease some of their worries.
AFFIQ AQLAN AFFENDI, PRIVATE SECTOR WORKER
The assistance will benefit petty traders, hawkers and small businesses. These also include start-ups which the youth are turning to nowadays. With the initiatives given, it will help alleviate the burden of those affected.
RUTH EDWIN BRUNDANG, SYSTEM ENGINEER
Under the worsening pandemic situation in Sarawak, a lot of citizen and small businesses suffered. The announcement of the initiatives has given a new light and hope to all of us. The support from the Sarawak government will ease a lot of people’s burden.
MICHELLE CHRISTIE, CIVIL SERVANT
If the MCO and CMCO persist, I hope that food aid packages can be distributed to reduce the burden of households. The assistance should also be rendered to animal houses, where they also need our support.
STEWARD MATHIAS, STUDENT
BKSS 5.0 will be well received by the public as it entails a lot of goodies to low income group through the water and electricity discount initiative.
KIMBERLY MATHIAS, SELF-EMPLOYED
BKSS 5.0 is appropriate and couldn’t come sooner as it will enable those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to get the assistance that they sorely needed.
FATIN RASYIDAH, SURVEYOR
I’m sure those who are affected will really appreciate the BKSS 5.0. As for any additional initiatives in the future if MCO and CMCO continue, I will leave it to the professional to make the necessary findings.
LILY JOHNY, BUSINESSWOMAN
With BKSS 5.0, I will have the advantage to be exempted from paying my business licences this year and I can use the money to compensate my losses and continue to run my business instead.
MOHAMAD GHAZALI JEMAN, BUSINESS OWNER
BKSS 5.0 is very timely and people-centric amid the economic uncertainties. Therefore, I welcome and support the idea to provide utilities and rental discounts which will help ease the burden of Sarawakians.
NOORAINI ISMAIL, MASTERS DEGREE STUDENT
BBKS 5.0 will help to alleviate Sarawakians’ livelihood as well as to sustain other business players during this pandemic. Hopefully, this assistance will be a relief for those who are badly affected by the CMCO or MCO.
