KUCHING: State assemblymen are happy that the state government has, under the BKSS 3.0, has allocated RM1.6 million capital expenditure to Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) to operate its mobile banking services in the rural areas in Sarawak.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced this on May 8.
He also said for a start, the BSN mobile counter would operate in Pakan, Sarikei from May 10 to 11 and this service would be further extended to other rural areas in the state.
Commenting on the move, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing said the establishment of the BSN mobile counter in Pakan would reduce the travelling time for the rural folk.
“Should there be another MCO due to health crisis or for other reasons, the rural population will not suffer,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Masing, who is also the Baleh assemblyman, also hoped mobile banking services in the rural areas would encourage the rural folk to save more.
“With progressive moves by the Agriculture Department to develop rural land, mobile banking services will encourage rural folk to develop their assets,” he said.
Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil said the arrangements made by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government proved that it was people-centric and cared for the people including those in the rural areas.
He also said with the mobile banking services, rural folk do not have to travel to main towns to cash their Bantuan Prihantin Nasional (BPN) as well as Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) aid.
