Sarawak govt announces RM1.1b cash aid as term nears an end

 

The Sarawak state government today announced an RM1.4 billion stimulus package that includes RM1.1 billion in cash aid - some of which will be given out monthly until the year's end.

This comes as the state government's term nears expiry - with elections expected once the emergency is lifted in August.

The Sarawak state assembly is supposed to dissolve in June, but the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has advised them to stay on in light of the emergency situation.

State elections and the state assembly sittings have been suspended under the state of emergency.

The financial stimulus was paired with an announcement that Covid-19 vaccination in Sarawak will be accelerated to ensure that elections can be carried out safely post-emergency.

In his speech today, Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg (above) announced that each head of a B40 household will be receiving RM250 per month from July 31 to Dec 31.

B40 individuals who are single will get a one-off cash aid of RM500 slated for Aug 31.

This will cost RM970 million overall and is expected to benefit one million recipients.

Meanwhile, there is also a monthly special allowance for frontliners, including RM300 for medical officers, and RM200 for security forces.

This will cost the state RM27 million in total.

Media practitioners on the frontlines in Sarawak will also receive a one-off cash aid of RM1,500. RM900,000 has been allocated for this.

Petty traders will also receive RM1,500 - split into two tranches (July and December). This involves an allocation of RM97.5 million.

There are also various forms of cash aid for small ferry boat operators (penambang), cabbies, e-hailing drivers, driving instructors, school bus or van operators, passenger van operators, tourist drivers, tourism agencies, and homestay operators totalling RM 5.53 million.

Other aid given under the stimulus includes discounts on water and electricity bills as well as assessment rates for domestic, commercial, and industrial premises, plus food baskets for struggling households.

Abang Johari said he hoped the stimulus would help lighten the burden of those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. - Mkini