KUCHING: The Sarawak government will look into providing special assistance to help the people in the state cope with the present rising cost of living.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the current increase in the price of goods was not only affecting Sarawak but other parts of the world due to inflation and recession.
“The government will look into it (to provide special assistance). We need to get the data first and find what the best solution is.
“For instance, we have provided a housing deposit of RM10,000 to purchase affordable houses for the B40 and M40 group. So this is part of helping the people.”
He said this to reporters when asked about whether the state government would provide special assistance to help those affected by the present high cost of living after officiating at the Sarawak First Rover Moot at Kuching Waterfront today.
Abang Johari also said that the issue of high prices of goods in the country was also due to unstable economic conditions in the world as well as the issues that occurred in the European countries.
“In the case of Malaysia, we import goods, so when we import goods, and when our currency value is low, so certainly the costs will increase.
“To solve this problem, there are no straightforward solutions. We must have a policy, and for Sarawak, we need to increase food productivity so that there is food security.
He mentioned that in this case, it was very important for Sarawak to focus on commercial agriculture to develop the agriculture sector by using technology.
“If we use modern technology, it is more efficient and less cost will be incurred,” he said.
The Premier also said as a measure to assist the people, the state government has provided subsidies in electricity bills as well as building rentals.
“This is what we can do so far because this is a very complicated issue. But, like it or not, we must find a solution.
“We are affected by what is happening around the world. But I believe this issue won’t go on for too long, by one or two years, things may get back to normal,” said Abang Johari.
