Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
KUCHING (June 7): Sarawakians are entitled to apply for the federal government’s RM40-billion Pemerkasa+ aid package, on top of the state government’s RM1.4-billion Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 6.0.
In stating this, federal Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he had been receiving many queries from the public who sought clarification over their eligibility for assistance underPemerkasa+.
He opined that the arising confusion was partly due to an earlier incident where Sarawak business operators did not qualify for the Permai Wages Subsidy Programme 3.0 during the second nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO 2.0).
“This issue is simply a misunderstanding over the technicalities. It has been sorted out.
“Now, we have made it clear that all financial aid and incentives announced by the federal government are applicable to all eligible groups, including those from Sarawak,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Wan Junaidi, who is Santubong MP, also called upon Sarawak entrepreneurs to fully utilise the packages under the RM11.5-billion Pemerkasa+, including grants and funding facilities slated for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
He said looking at the current economic uncertainties, it was timely for entrepreneurs to re-strategise their operations and business models so that they would be able to adapt to today’s new norms, which would include the migration to e-commerce.
The minister opined that should the nationwide lockdown be extended, some 90 per cent of SMEs as well ‘informal enterprises’ would risk business closures.
According to him, the micro and informal enterprises are the worst-affected by the MCO as their products and services are categorised as ‘non-essential’ and moreover, they do not have solid savings and cash flows.
“To survive, entrepreneurs need to make necessary adjustments to their services – quickly.
“Having a solid online presence is also important. If you think your business is no longer suitable in this current situation, probably it’s time to look at other opportunities.
”Meanwhile, at ministry level, we continue to come up with targeted types of assistance to help the micro and informal entrepreneurs.
“Please utilise all the allocations provided under Pemerkasa+ to help cushion the impact from the lockdown,” added Wan Junaidi.