199 penambang to receive RM500 aid
KUCHING: A total of 199 penambang or boat operators across Sarawak will receive the RM500 one-off financial aid pledged under the Sarawakku Sayang Assistance Package (BKSS) 3.0.
Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin said the Sarawak government had set aside RM99,500 to assist boat operators due to difficulties during the Movement Control Order (MCO) and Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period.
“During the MCO and CMCO, the penambang are suffering loss of income due to the drastic drop in number of customers, including tourists.
“Therefore, the provision of RM500 one-off financial assistance to each penambang by the state government will benefit and lighten the financial burden of 199 penambang,” he said during a symbolic cheque handover ceremony at the Kuching Waterfront yesterday.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg pledged the aid during the May 8 announcement of the RM300 million BKSS 3.0 for Sarawakians during these trying times.
It was one of the seven measures taken by the Sarawak government to assist Sarawakians during the MCO period.
The RM500 aid is for penambang registered with the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB).
Lee said 175 recipients were from Territory I covering Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, and Betong with a total amount of RM37,500; 13 from Territory II covering Sibu, Sarikei, Mukah, and Kapit (RM6,500); and 11 from Territory III covering Bintulu, Miri, and Limbang (RM5,500).
He said his ministry and SRB would continue to monitor the situation and development of the water transportation services in the state during this CMCO period.
As such, he urged all the relevant parties, especially the riverine transport operators as well as riverine transport users, to give full support and cooperation to the government to curb the spread of Covid19 in the interests of all Sarawakians.
He also thanked the Sarawak government and Abang Johari for their understanding and concern on the predicament faced by penambang during this difficult time.