KUCHING: The approval of new applications and appeals for one-off cash aid under the Sarawakku Sayang special aid packages (BKSS) will be announced on Friday, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He explained that appeals and new applications were subjected to a review and verification process.
“Approval for the cash aid is made based on income data from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB),” he said during an interview on RTM’s Bicara Naratif on Monday night (Nov 9).
Abang Johari reiterated that he would review the appeals, this after receiving feedback that many individuals were left out from the assistance.
“I will review the name list to decide whether the incentive should be distributed to the applicants.”
Pointing out that the state government had released four phases of the BKSS assistance totalling RM2.3bil since its implementation in April this year, he said among the measures that had been taken were providing interest-free loans to entrepreneurs from low-income groups to cushion the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“To ease the burden of small and medium entrepreneurs, the state government also extended the moratorium period for the Sarawak Micro Credit Scheme until December.”
He also said the state government had discounted utility bills to the tune of RM1.2mil.
“The state government has also agreed to extend the electricity and water supply bill discount until the end of December this year, which will benefit 686,847 electricity consumers and 568,247 treated water consumers throughout the state.”
