MIRI: The Sarawak Chamber of Bumiputera Entrepreneurs (DUBS) has proposed a bid for more affordable commercial office space through the implementation of Strata Title concept.
DUBS Miri chairman Abdul Samat Mohammad Ali said its main objective was for more Miri Bumiputera entrepreneurs to have the opportunity to own a commercial unit at the Lopeng Bumiputera Commercial Hub here.
“The reality is that many Bumiputera entrepreneurs cannot afford to buy a two or three-storey shop unit according to the latest market price, especially in prime locations,” he said in his speech at the DUBS Miri branch 14th annual general meeting here today.
He said he aimed to further develop the Bumiputera Commercial Hub if given the opportunity to be re-elected as chairman for the next three years.
“I still have an unfinished job to do,” he added.
“We have discussed collaborating with the Miri Malay Association and the Miri Melanau Association and will liaise with the Orang Ulu Association. After all, we are going to be very close neighbours,” he said
On another note, DUBS president Datuk Abang Helmi Ikhwan said DUBS had emerged as an important voice suggesting necessary proposals to assist Bumiputera traders during the onset of Covid-19.
“Many of our proposals have been accepted by the Sarawak government and implemented. With that, we would like to thank Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his concern over the difficulties faced by traders,” he said.
Nevertheless, the state government’s assistance had achieved mixed results, he stressed.
“DUBS conducted three surveys of our members and other Bumiputera traders. We found the assistance in 2020 and early 2021 was good with many members receiving assistance benefits.
But the assistance programme which later took the form of a one -off BKSS 7 grant for SMEs of RM10,000 and a BKSS Plus grant of RM3,000 for Micro Entrepreneurs was not up to scratch due to the slow process of issuing aid and the very low approval rate.
“We request the good services of the chief minister to improve the situation by easing the eligibility threshold of applicants and adding implementing agencies to launch the process of issuing aid,” he suggested.
