GPS Backbenchers Club says BKSS aid initiatives debunks Chong’s claim

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has been expedient in assisting the people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and has rolled out various assistances catering to different groups through the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) worth over RM3.2 billion, said GPS Backbenchers Club.

“For Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen to accuse that the state government has not been assisting the small businesses, such is simply not the case.

“The state government’s track record speaks for itself and the assistances were, to some extent, able to give a lease of life to the petty traders and hawkers,” the club said in a statement yesterday.

GPS Backbenchers Club made reference to an earlier statement by Chong that was reported in an online news portal, alleging that the Sarawak government is delaying its assistance to the people until the state election nears.

It further pointed out that in the package, the assistances rendered include interest free soft loan for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); special grant of RM1,500 to hawkers and petty traders throughout Sarawak Pay; abolition of two per cent interest rates to zero per cent for three and a half years under Micro Credit Scheme as well as waiver for rentals to SMEs in retail sector operating on premises owned by state Government Linked Companies (GLCs).

“The state government’s insistence on the continuity of economic life is also reflected in its policies in handling the Covid-19 pandemic through the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

“Policies made in terms of imposing movement restrictions have taken into account the hardship faced by the people especially the small business, private sector workers, selfemployed and those without fixed income.