Abg Jo attributes S’wak’s strong reserves to practise of ‘save for rainy days’ dictum
KUCHING: Sarawak’s stable political atmosphere and strong unity among the multi-racial and multi-religious people in the state have been the basis for a good and orderly administration.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg assured that Sarawak has a relatively strong financial position and is able to provide various assistances to the people.
He said this is also the result of the state’s prudent spending that had been practised for decades.
“Sarawak has relatively strong financial reserves and is far ahead compared to other states. As the saying goes, ‘we save for the rainy days’ and the funds that have been kept for decades, in addition to the annual revenues, give us some comfort when we face difficulties,” he said in his Gawai Dayak message.
He noted that the Covid-19 outbreak had been a major blow to the people and governments around the world. The state government understood the situation the people had to face, especially in terms of food supply and employment.
“Therefore, the state government spent RM16.4 million to provide essential food items to half a million Sarawakians including those in remote areas,” he said.
He said the state had rolled out three Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance packages that aimed to help the B40 group, singles, business communities, Covid-19 frontliners including those who had lost their income due to Covid-19.
“Besides that, as a government that cares for the needs of the people, mobile banking services have also been implemented in areas where there are no automated teller machines (ATMs) such as Pakan,” he said.
Abang Johari hoped that the various assistances could ease the financial burden of those affected during the movement control order (MCO) and conditional movement control order (CMCO) periods.
“The Sarawak government is the only state government that provides assistance to its people.
“I hope that all head of households, traders and the business community have received or applied for the assistance given,” said the chief minister.
