SIBU: The electricity and water bill discount extension announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 9.0 yesterday has been given the thumbs up by the public.
Domestic, commercial and industrial consumers of electricity are given a five to 25 per cent discount, amounting to RM201.76mil from July to December. This benefits more than 685,000 consumers in Sarawak.
A 10 to 25 per cent discount on monthly water bills for domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers will also continue. This amounts to RM35.34mil, also benefitting 685,000 consumers.
Here are some of the response from the public gathered by New Sarawak Tribune.
Sawing Henry, 26,
Civil servant
“I am grateful to the Sarawak government for caring about the wellbeing of the people. Although the amount of assistance given is seen as small, to some extent, it can help ease the burden of the people even in the short period from July to December. But I think that period is enough for people to restore their respective economies. We must train people to be prepared to face such problems in the future. Train the people to be prepared and accept the fact that goods have gone up in price. People should be more prepared to face times like this.”
Adrinna Arun,25,
Human resource officer
“The newly announced BKSS 9.0, especially discounts on water and electricity bills, is good. It helps people lessen their burden. However, maybe the government can consider helping with petrol or diesel as some people in the interior, especially in longhouses, are still using generators.”
Asmah Talap, 48,
Civil servant
“Nowadays, everything’s digital, hence, electricity usage is increasing day by day. We charge our phones, laptops, and so on. Our education system (to a certain extent) has gone online. My children now use computers and phones more to study. I think it (discount) is important and does help as we move towards digitalisation.”
Leandro Mcrae, 26,
Administrative officer
“A very good initiative by the Sarawak government to continue giving discounts as it helps a lot. I notice that the discount stopped for the last month and I realised that 25 per cent is really a big amount. Therefore, a very good initiative considering the conditions right now.”
Angeline Cynthia Antai,26,
Event Manager
“Assistance such as discounts on electricity and water bills should be implemented because it reduces the burden on the people to some extent. More such aid should be released, especially in terms of fuel.”
Francisca Sanggau, 28,
Housewife
“As a B40 family, the discounts have helped lessen my family’s burden. The price of goods have increased due to inflation. At least I can set aside some money (saved from the utility bills discount) for other expenses.”
Mohammad Khairuddin Rushdi Ayuphan, 28,
Private sector worker
“I am grateful to the Sarawak government for its concern and for understanding the situation that the people are facing right now. This assistance is timely. Although we have been given discounts, we must also save water and electricity to avoid wastage.”
