KUCHING: Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says it is illogical for the state government to tap into its RM31 billion reserves to assist businesses and people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He was responding to Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan’s suggestion that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government utilise the fund to save businesses and lives of the people by subsidising small businesses, hawkers and all poor citizens of Sarawak during the pandemic.
“It looks like PBK’s way of managing a government is by giving handouts and spending all the state’s reserves.
“If they (PBK) are the government, it is just a matter of time that the coffers will run dry,” Abdul Karim who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president told New Sarawak Tribune on Saturday (May 15).
On May 14, Voon said that the federal government had not rendered much help to Sarawak since the outbreak occurred.
He said that countries in the world had shown that only total lockdown was the most effective way to combat Covid-19.
“There is no reason why the GPS government does not wish to do so despite the state having a large reserve of funds of RM31 billion plus more than RM2 billion from State Sales Tax (SST) paid by Petronas recently. Where is the money now?” Voon questioned.
He opined that the GPS government should use its reserve fund to help those affected by the Covid-19.
