KUCHING: At a time when West Malaysia’s politics is caught in endless turmoil, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government has always focused on Sarawak and its people.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting said this while lauding the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) 7.0 package involving a total allocation of RM800 million which was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Wednesday.
“Sarawak people must always come first. SUPP has never stopped, actively assisting people from all walks of life and working hand-in-hand with all Sarawakians to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a statement today.
“SUPP is thankful to the GPS government, led by our chief minister, for its continuous commitment and care to assist our people in Sarawak, as evidenced by the latest BKSS 7.0,” he said.
The Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture noted that BKSS 7.0 is aim at alleviating the plight of the business community as well as industrial and commercial sectors throughout the state so that they can move towards recovery.
“The announcement was well-received by the people as a whole, especially the small and medium enterprises,” he said.
He said the timing of the announcement on the BKSS 7.0 was also timely, seeing that Sarawak is entering Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
He said in Phase 3, more economic sectors would be allowed to operate.
“Therefore, the Sarawak government launched BKSS 7.0 to catalyse the recovery of the economic sector, so business sectors affected by the pandemic can receive some form of assistance they deserve in a timely manner to solve the urgent needs and prepare to meet future challenges,” he said.
He noted that BKSS 7.0 was divided into three measures — a one-time financial assistance of RM10,000 for active Sarawak enterprises registered under the Social Security Organisation (Socso); relaxations of government procurement policy due to Covid-19; and renewal of foreign workers’ employment permits.
“We firmly believe that Sarawak’s businesses as well as the industrial and commercial sectors will certainly benefit from it,” said Ting, who is also Piasau assemblyman.
He pointed out that prior to this, the state government launched six special aid packages, covering all classes and sectors.
“This proves that the GPS government acknowledges the challenges and hardships faced by our business people and has taken practical action to provide continuous assistance to our people as a whole,” he said.
