KUCHING: The Sarawak government has provided a waiver of monthly rentals for ready-build factories (RBF) located at Demak Baru Industrial Park Phase 3.
This is an additional assistance to further assist the business community by the Ministry International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development (Mintred) under the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) packages.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that the waiver period will be from July until the end of this year.
“The total numbers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved are 14 SMEs for 15 units of RBF. Thus, the amount of rental waive will be RM123,750,” he said in a press conference on the BKSS aid to business community in Sarawak on Tuesday (Sept 7).
He added that the RBF is for SMEs to operate their businesses at affordable rental rates.
Awang Tengah, who is also the Mintred Minister, said the distribution of the financial assistance under the BKSS packages is still ongoing.
“Under BKSS 6.0, for the RM1,500 grant for hawkers and small traders registered with the local authorities, a total of 48,391 hawkers and small traders have received the first tranches of RM750 as of Aug 31,” he said.
He said with that a total grant of RM36.29 million has been channelled, and the remaining amount will be paid in December through Sarawak Pay application.
“As of Aug 31, a total of 199 boat operators registered with the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) have received the RM500 incentive. The total amount of the assistance channelled for this is RM99,500,” he said.
In addition, he said 1,471 licensed van operators, bus operators, school bus operators and taxi drivers have received the one-off incentive of RM600 as of Aug 31, while the total assistance channelled amounted to RM882,600.
“For the one-off grant of RM500 for e-hailing drivers and driving instructors, as of Aug 31, total of 3,089 under this group have received the money with the assistance channelled amounting to RM1.54 million,” he said.
Awang Tengah added that a total of 1,084 recipients under the tourism sectors have also received the assistance given under BKSS 6.0 as of Aug 31, whereby the total assistance channelled is RM1.28 million.
Under this financial assistance, he said it includes the RM3,000 for the licensed travel agencies, RM600 for homestay operators, RM500 for tour drivers as well as RM1,500 for licensed national park tour guides.
“The ministry will constantly review the effectiveness of BKSS initiatives. We always listen and very much welcome suggestions especially from the people, including councils and business associations.
“The state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is very concerned and takes into account the opinions expressed in providing the assistance needed by the people and also to prepare for the Sarawak Post Covid-19 Development Strategy,” he said.
Awang Tengah added all the financial schemes are to provide temporary relief to the entrepreneurs and business community.
“The long-term solution is to slowly open up the economy so that the business community can start their business operations and have incomes.
“Therefore, the people’s adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the authorities is important to allow us to move on to the next phases of the (National Recovery Plan) that allow us to carry out economic and social activities as usual,” he said.
