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MIRI – An assistant minister has promised to help small businesses that were left out of the financial aid last October under the Bantuan Khas Sarawak Sayangku (BKSS) 7.0.
Assistant State Minister II for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang said he understands the anxiety of those who have not received their aid, which was supposed to be distributed in December.
“I am collecting the names and details of those who have not received the aid yet. I will bring up the matter to the state Economic Planning Unit next week.”
He added that affected business owners should submit their details to his assistant, Wong.
“Her contact number is 010-569 9773, and she is collecting details from all the affected traders. Please submit details to her as soon as possible.”
It is said that up to 40,000 BKSS 7.0 recipients have yet to get the aid.
They were promised the BKSS 7.0 financial aid in October by ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak before the state election.
SMEs were supposed to get RM10,000 and RM3,000 for every qualifying micro-business.
Last week, Sarawak DAP’s Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong said these frustrated business folk are seeking a deadline for the GPS to distribute the promised aid.
She said more than three months have passed since applications for the BKSS 7.0 were submitted online in October.
This is not the first time that the small merchants have conveyed their grouses.
In Miri, some of these traders had aired their grievances to the Parti Sarawak Bersatu Miri chief Bruce Chai last month.
Chai had accused GPS of conveniently forgetting or neglecting their dues after winning the state polls. – The Vibes, January 20, 2022
