KUCHING: The state government, through ‘Rumah Sarawak Kuala Lumpur (RSKL)’ and Sarawak Volunteers (SV), is always ready to help Sarawakians in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan who are facing problems and difficulties due to the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Senior Minister (Works) and Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said, in a statement, since the beginning of the MCO, the Sarawak government and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MPs had set up an assistance operations centre at Rumah Sarawak Kuala Lumpur to assist Sarawakians in need.
“Since the introduction of the MCO on March 18, 2020, the Sarawak government has provided support to a total of 26,021 Sarawakians, including 20,916 students, through RSKL and SV,” he added.
“Among the services provided are management of the repatriation of stranded Sarawakians and students as well as temporary housing and food and drinks. Sarawakians were also given financial aid and food baskets.
“In terms of welfare assistance, RSKL and SV assisted 587 Sarawakians in 2020 while 117 Sarawakians were assisted between January 1 and July 9, 2021, with a total allocation of RM431,356.50,” Fadillah explained.
He said the assistance was divided into three categories, namely, Weekly Assistance (for cases referred by Sarawak hospitals), Other Assistance (accommodation, food, travel tickets and funds), and funeral transportation.
“For Weekly Assistance, 115 Sarawakians were assisted last year (2020) with an assistance value of RM54,060 while 89 were assisted this year from January and July 9 with an allocation of RM41,970.51.
“In terms of Other Assistance, 418 Sarawakians received assistance totalling RM67,738.99 last year while 67 received assistance totalling RM32,337 in the first seven months of this year.
“Meanwhile, RSKL and SV managed the return of 54 Sarawakians’ remains last year totalling RM168,400 and 21 Sarawakians’ remains since the beginning of this year totalling RM66,850.”
Fadillah added a series of virtual discussions with representatives of Sarawakians in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah, and Labuan were held to address their issues and problems in the Peninsula, Sabah and Labuan.
“I would want to take this opportunity to thank the representatives of Sarawak NGOs who were there, as well as the assistance they have provided to Sarawakians,” he said.
Sarawakians in the Peninsula, Sabah, and Labuan who require assistance and encounter problems, particularly during the pandemic, can call Careline of RSKL and SV at 011-57505389 and 011-69285673 or 016-8945579 during office hours from 8.30am until 5.30pm.
