- Advertisement -
News

Sarawak announces RM1.4 billion financial aid ahead of lockdown

This includes RM27 million for frontliners and RM970 million for the B40 group.

Nur Shazreena Ali
2 minute read
Share
Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg announces the Bantuan Sarawakku Sayang 6.0 special assistance package in Kuching today. Photo: Bernama
Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg announces the Bantuan Sarawakku Sayang 6.0 special assistance package in Kuching today. Photo: Bernama

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today announced a financial aid package worth RM1.4 billion for the state ahead of the nationwide lockdown to take effect on June 1.

He said the 15 measures in the Bantuan Sarawakku Sayang 6.0 special assistance package, which includes cash payouts and discounts, would be borne by the state government to reduce the financial burden of the people.

“Under the previous five financial packages, the state government allocated RM3.1 billion that helped reduce the financial burden of the people.

“With this expenditure, including measures under implementation in some way, we hope to help ease the burden for us to go through this difficult time,” he said at a press conference in Kuching today.

He said RM27 million had been set aside for a monthly allowance of RM200 to RM300 for frontliners, for six months.

“Media practitioners in the state will be also be receiving a one-off payment of RM1,500,” he said, adding that these were also frontliners.

RM970 million meanwhile has been allocated to provide six months of financial assistance for those in the low-income group, from July to December this year.

Abang Johari said this would include payments of RM250 per month for each household while single individuals above 21 from the B40 group would receive one-off cash aid worth RM500 from Aug 31.

“The state government also will also give discounts of between 5% and 25% on electricity bills for six months, from July to December. This will benefit 647,000 households, commercial and industrial consumers in the state.”

He said special grants worth RM97.5 million would also be given to help hawkers and petty traders registered with the local authorities.

Rent exemptions for six months will also be given to SMEs operating at premises owned by GLCs and statutory bodies.

Other groups to receive financial assistance are passenger boat operators, taxi drivers, school van and bus operators, private van operators and e-hailing drivers, licensed tourist agencies, licensed homestay operators, licensed tourist vehicle drivers and licensed drivers at national parks.