SIBU:The Sarawak government is rolling out a RM1bil assistance covering five measures under the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang 9.0 (BKSS9.0), which takes effect from July until end of this year.
Announcing this at a press conference on Monday (Aug 29) at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the financial assistance was to lessen the burden of the people due to the rising cost of living.
"Now is a very challenging time for us due to the increasing cost of living. I heard people's complaints about the rising prices of goods such as the price of chicken and eggs, the price rise in cooking oil and so on.
As of June 2022, Malaysia's inflation rate increased 3.4% compared to the same month in the previous year, while Sarawak's inflation rate increased 3.2% compared to the same month in the previous year.
As a government that listens and is concerned about the people's welfare, the Sarawak government has decided to continue providing assistance to ease the burden of the people of Sarawak who are affected by the increase in the cost of living, especially those with low incomes," he explained.
On electricity discount under BKSS 9.0, he said the state government will continue the initiative of giving a discount of up to 25% on monthly electricity bills to domestic, commercial and industrial users, including food entrepreneurs and retailers.
This discount will benefit 685,000 account holders throughout Sarawak. The total cost of this electricity discount, amounting to RM201.76mil, will be financed by the Sarawak government, he said.
As for water, he said the 10% to 25% discount on monthly water bills for domestic, commercial and industrial users will continue from July to December 2022.
This discount will benefit more than 685,000 account holders across Sarawak which involved a total discount of RM35.34mil.
BKSS9.0 will also involve giving a 25% discount for annual assessment rate above RM400 and 30% discount for annual assessment rate below RM400 for residential, commercial, industrial and special holding premises.
"This move will benefit more than 500,000 premises under the Local Authority (PBT). The entire cost of this discount will involve a spending by the Sarawak government of RM54mil," he said.
Abang Johari said the government will also be giving 50% discount on Local Authority (PBT) market and stall rental for traders and hawkers continues for the same period.
This assistance will benefit more than 10,000 registered hawkers who rent markets and stalls under local authority and statutory bodies. The entire cost of this discount will involve the expenditure of RM1.73mil.
He said the state government has initiated the Variation of Price (VOP) 2.0 to cater for the increase in price of construction materials for all state funded projects.
The state government is estimated to bear the cost of approximately RM700mil for allowing the variation of price in construction materials.
