KUCHING: Persatuan Anak Istimewa Sarawak (Perais) president Rapelson Richard Hamit has proposed that the government provide a monthly RM600 financial assistance per family for up to three months or depending on the spread of Covid-19, in efforts to ease their burden.
He said that the assistance could be credited directly into Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) accounts, and urged the state government to top up the assistance to ease the burden of Sarawakians.
“Banks and public finance agencies should also follow the footsteps of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) by delaying education repayments up to three months.
“Banks should suspend vehicle loans, personal loans, credit card loans, housing loans, and so on for three months,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Meanwhile, he called for the public to keep calm and cooperate with the government and authorities in handling the spread of Covid-19 in the nation.
Rapelson said that non-compliance towards the government’s directives in this regard would be detrimental.
“The public and traders have to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the ministry and authorities, including the movement control order and usage of masks when leaving the house,” he said.
He said that those living in the city or outside Sarawak were advised not to return to their villages or the state respectively in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“Stay wherever you are now to prevent the spread of the disease. Those returning from overseas or outside Sarawak must be honest when questioned by the authorities, including health authorities,” he said.
He urged the public not to panic, and instead stock up on kitchen supplies, food, and baby supplies enough for the order period, which he added could be extended if the public did not comply.
“Parents should be prohibited from bringing their children out aside from important matters such as going to the clinic,” stressed Rapelson.
