SEBUYAU: A new mechanism for subsidising the commercial sector is expected to be announced within this year.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the new mechanism was to ensure that the recipients would not only depend on subsidies, but find ways to continue exploring their respective businesses.
“Business owners need to know how to handle business well. If subsidies are always given, they will not learn.
“So, we need to educate subsidy recipients to run a business, and not just rely on grants.
“I don’t believe in aid through subsidies alone. For that, we will announce a new mechanism later, but it will not be revealed now,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after attending a briefing on Sebuyau district development by several agencies here yesterday.
He added that he has plans to provide loans to traders to start their respective businesses through start-up capital.
“Lending has its own mechanism. When traders make loans, they will work to pay them back.
“When you work hard to pay off the loan, you will obtain your revenue. If your revenue is high, that will become your profit,” he said.
He said that the venture start-up capital will be lent to traders with the value needed for them to start the business they want to venture into.
In another development, Abang Johari added that the state government might be continuing the subsidy for electricity bill discounts under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS).
“If our economic situation is still like this, we will extend the assistance until the end of this year (December),” he said, adding that the matter would be discussed further with the relevant parties.
