Immature to politicise BKSS 5.0 aid

KUCHING: Opposition parties in Sarawak politicising the newly-announced RM450 million Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 5.0 special assistance package have been called “immature”.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sarawak chairman Senator Jaziri Alkaf A Suffian said the aid announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is to ease the burden of Sarawakians affected not only by the Covid19 pandemic but also the recent floods.

"At a time when Sarawakians are burdened by gloom and hardship due to the pandemic and flood, it will be immature for the politicians to further burden them with false and confusing allegations.

"To me, the politics of service delivery is more important. Let's prioritise the people during this time of hardship and together we carry out the responsibilities that have been entrusted for the benefit of the people of Sarawak," he said in a stetement yesterday.

According to Jaziri, BKSS 5.0 would be able to ease the burden of the people, including those involved in the business sector through its 11 measures.

He said measures such as discounts of between 5 and 25 per cent on electricity and water bills until June would benefit more than 600,000 households.

"In fact, the initiative to give 25 per cent discount for assessement rates of more than RM400 from January to June 2021 showed that the people come first. And so does the measure to give 50 per cent rent discount for those living in Housing Development Corporation (HDC) housing schemes.

"Other measures which were to assist businesses, especially small and medium entreprises, are very important in ensuring that their business can still be maintained and employment can continue," he said.

For small businesses, he said they will benefit from the 50 per cent discount on rent for markets and stalls and business permit and licence fee exemption for traders and hawkers, including in night markets and pasar tamu.

He also said the Sarawak government showed its concern for the small and medium sized enterprises by providing rent exemption for those operating in premises owned by statutory bodies or state governmentlinked companies, and six month moratorium for those with loans under Spiks.

"The 30 per cent land tax discount and land premium payment postponement will also have positive impact on the SMEs," he added.