THE Finance Ministry said 1.93 million people in Sabah and Sarawak have received the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN), amounting to RM2.1 billion.

Its minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said nearly 100,000 businesses including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in the two states have received assistance totalling RM1.4 billion through the Wage Subsidy Programme, Special Prihatin Grant, and micro financing from Tekun and Bank Simpanan Nasional. 

The ministry made an official visit to Sabah and Sarawak this week to obtain feedback on the implementation of the Prihatin economic stimulus package and Penjana economic recovery plan as people and businesses come to terms with the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the visit, the ministry met with its agencies, including the Treasury Department and Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

“These agencies play an important role in processing the applications and channelling the BPN funds to the bottom 40 (B40) and middle 40 (M40) groups; second and third phases of the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) 2020, Prihatin Special Grant to MSMEs, Employee Wage Subsidy and Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance,” he said in a statement.

The ministry works with the agencies with the support of various other bodies such as the Armed Forces, People Volunteer Corps, police, State Federal Development Office, National Security Council, resident/district/sub-district offices, Sabah Treasury Department, Economic Planning Unit and the two states’ respective Chief Minister’s Department.

“This is to ensure government aid and initiatives can be channelled expeditiously and precisely to the needy groups in Sabah and Sarawak, especially those living in remote areas that are physically inaccessible.

“Although the efforts of the government and the relevant agencies have been fruitful, the government is sensitive to the logistical challenges as regards fund distribution as well as updating recipient data to ensure eligible residents in Sabah and Sarawak receive the assistance,” he said.

For example, he said the Sabah treasury department, as the state’s BSH/BPN secretariat together with IRB, BSN and district offices carried out integrated aid disbursement exercises from July 1 until August 10, in remote locations of 13 districts that do not have BSN branches, involving 2,845 recipients who do not have a bank account.

In Sarawak, state treasury staff travelled to 30 remote locations between July 1 and 30 to present the BPN and BSH assistance to 41,995 recipients who did not have a bank account.

A total of 20,901 recipients were present to accept the aid in cash. Recipients in both states who have not received the aid could go to any BSN branch before December 31.

“The government assures that improving the execution of assistance to the people is constantly emphasised. The government’s effort will not only be in terms of bridging the digital divide but also improving the physical infrastructure in the urban and rural areas in both states.

“This effort is in line with the four main themes of Budget 2021 which are, caring for the welfare of the people, driving economic growth, sustaining life, and improving the public service delivery,” said Tengku Zafrul.

To that end, the ministry also held a Budget 2021 consultation tour in Kuching today, during which it met with stakeholders of various industries to obtain feedback on the economic stimulus packages as well as proposals for Budget 2021.

In Sarawak, the ministry held dialogue sessions with industry representatives, including oil and gas, agro-commodity, tourism and business.

The discussions with industry representatives dwelled, among others, on the need for a dynamic policy, resource support and potential cooperation to uplift the state of Sarawak in light of the virus impact on the industries.

The ministry has received various views and proposed resolutions from industry representatives and relevant agencies, which will be fine-tuned for Budget 2021. – Bernama, September 17, 2020.