KUCHING: The special one-off financial aid of RM10,000 for active businesses registered in Sarawak provided under the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) 7.0 package shows that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is caring and was sympathetic to the plight of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
In saying this, Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) treasurer-general Bell Bernard Aggan pointed out that SMEs were among the most affected during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The assistance provided such as the one-off RM10,000 at least can cover their overhead expenses such as rental and utilities.
“Only the GPS government provides these types of aids to SMEs in Sarawak,” he said when contacted on Saturday (Aug 7).
As such, he expressed his full support for the new BKSS 7.0 announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Bell, who is also a member of SME Corp Malaysia, was commenting on Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman, Chong Chieng Jen’s recent statement that the RM10,000 aid was too little to help medium and large-sized companies.
Meanwhile, DCCI secretary-general, Libat Langub, in a separate statement on Saturday, also commended the state government for the special one-off assistance of RM10,000 for active businesses in Sarawak.
He said DCCI members, especially new and young entrepreneurs in rural towns, and those whose businesses were affected by the pandemic, would find this aid most helpful indeed.
“Although our members expect more substantial financial assistance to sustain their businesses in this trying time, we are, nevertheless, grateful to the chief minister for looking into their welfare,” he said.
He said DCCI hoped that its members who qualified for the assistance would wisely utilise the funds to sustain their businesses in covering part of their operational costs such as rental and wages.
“It is hoped that the financial aid will help reduce the challenges faced by many Dayak businesses as they gradually move forward toward their slow recoveries,” said Libat.
