Sarawak announces RM1.15 bil package to mitigate impact of Covid-19

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg (second from left) and state leaders at the announcement of the RM1.15 billion special assistance package at Wisma Bapa in Kuching today.

KUCHING: Sarawak has announced a RM1.15 billion special assistance package to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and reduce the burden of the people.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Open said the “Sarawakku Sayang” package involves direct expenditure by the state government of RM974.75 million, supplemented by deferment of loan repayments, waiver of payments, and discounts for basic government services of RM179.79 million for the year.

Speaking at a press conference, Abang Johari said the package is a “balanced people and business centric model” to see the state through the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic.

The special assistance package, he said, is over and above the continuous efforts to steer Sarawak towards developed state status by 2030.

The “Sarawakku Sayang” package includes several proactive measures targeting frontline personnel, households and the business communities which, Abang Johari said, need support the most. Among them are:

• Domestic, commercial and industrial consumers will be given a discount of 5% to 25% on their monthly electricity bills, and a 10% to 25% discount on their monthly water bills from April to September.
• 430,000 Sarawakians from the B40 group will be given a monthly cash payout of RM250 for the next six months.
• 50% discount on rental of markets and stalls for six months.
• RM8.24 million in waiver of permits and licence fees to traders, hawkers, night market traders, weekly market and bazaar Ramadan operators.
• 25% discount on annual assessment rate above the RM400 threshold for residential, commercial, industrial and special purpose holdings for this year.
• Deferment of loan repayment for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for nine months from April.
• Additional RM20 million micro-credit schemes for all SMEs to expand and sustain their businesses.
• 30% discount on land rent, benefiting 52,403 commercial, industrial, residential, large-scale plantations and other public facilities.
• One-off deferment on land premiums for 2020, benefiting 1,721 stakeholders across Sarawak, including agriculture, residential, commercial and industrial units as well as private and public institutions.
• One-off waiver on hotel licensing fees for 17,289 hotel rooms throughout the state for the year, benefiting more than 340 hotels and lodging houses.
• 50% discount on rental of housing development commission (HDC) units for six months.

In addition, Abang Johari announced six months of incentives for front-liners battling to control the spread of Covid-19.

He said monthly payments of RM300 will be given to doctors, nurses and medical personnel.

A sum of RM200 will also be given to:

• 535 immigration officers.
• 3,395 police and state operations room staff.
• 590 army personnel manning the borders and those helping police in maintaining law and order.
• 590 People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel who work to ensure the safety and security of neighbourhoods.

He said the state government will provide support to doctors and medical staff involved in testing, diagnosing and treating patients.

“The costs include acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies. This will cost the Sarawak government RM10 million.”

Another RM1 million, he said, will be spent on food supplies for this category of doctors and medical staff.

Abang Johari also said the government, through the state disaster management committee, will provide free face masks to all Sarawakians, particularly those residing in the Covid-19 hotspots of Kuching, Serian, Betong, Sarikei, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang.

“The Sarawak government has placed an order of two million pieces of face masks to be distributed free to Sarawakians,” he said. - FMT