Dr Annuar interacts with other participants of the online forum on ‘BKSS 6.0 for Hawkers and Petty Traders Not Licensed under SMC’.
SIBU (June 8): The hawkers and petty traders here who have yet to obtain licensing from Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) are advised to apply for it immediately so that they would not miss out on benefitting from the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 6.0.
According to Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Dr Annuar Rapaee, each application would be vetted by the council and after everything is found to be in good order, each applicant would be issued with a temporary trading permit that would remain valid until this November.
“The temporary permit would render them eligible for the BKSS 6.0 aid for hawkers and petty traders,” he said on an online forum hosted by Nangka State Constituency Service Centre yesterday, which focused on explaining the special allocations for hawkers and petty traders under BKSS 6.0.
Specifically, the aid package would provide each registered hawker and petty trader with
RM1,500 – RM750 to be paid next month, and another RM750 in December.
“I want to make it clear that those traders holding valid licensing from SMC need not worry because SMC would forward to the relevant authority for the special grant to be paid to them in two tranches. So, they would not need to make any new application.
“As explained earlier, those without SMC licensing should immediately apply where, after being vetted by SMC, they would be issued with temporary permits that would be valid until November, in order for them to be eligible for the BKSS 6.0 payout.
“For those whose trading licences have expired, they would need to go through the entire process as though they’re applying for new licences,” Dr Annuar, who is Nangka assemblyman, elaborated.
On the online forum, broadcast live via his official Facebook page, Dr Annuar said it served as a platform for the stakeholders to discuss the criteria of eligibility and means to apply for the BKSS aid meant for the hawkers and petty traders.
“We don’t want to have issues like not completing the application, no having Sarawak Pay account and other problems, after the registration date for BKSS 6.0 closes this June 30.”
“I think it’s high time for us to help as many as possible as long as they (traders) are genuine,” he said.
Turning to small-time entrepreneurs operating from home such as those making cakes or biscuits, Dr Annuar said they would need to show proof of production and physically delivery of their goods for sale, in order to apply for the aid.
On the channelling of the BKSS money via Sarawak Pay, Dr Annuar said the applicants must register themselves both as users and merchants on the e-payment app.
The forum yesterday was moderated by Councillor Izkandar Roseley.
The other participants were SMC chairman Clarence Ting, SMC Market and Petty Traders Standing Committee chairman Councillor Albert Tiang, SMC General Purpose and Community Services Standing Committee chairperson Councillor Donna Petrus Ngelai, SMC Public Health Standing Committee vice-chairperson Councillor Jenny Ting, Sarawak Pay central region agent David Tiong, Sarawak Pay representative Teo Hua Thong and Taman Selera Harmoni Sibu Muslim Traders Association chairman Abdul Taib Rosli.
In his remarks, Clarence talked about operators renting stalls in coffee-shops.
“There are 750 licensed coffee-shops in Sibu town.
“If one housed at least three stalls, the number of traders (operating individual stalls) should be about 2,000 – all of them could apply for BKSS 6.0 (special grant for hawkers and petty traders),” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Taib said a hotline, 014-273 4612, had been set up to assist hawkers and petty traders in Nangka in matters relating to BKSS 6.0, such as licensing/permit application and registration with Sarawak Pay.