by BERNAMA / pic by BERNAMA

KUCHING — The Sarawak government has begun remitting the first payment to recipients under the ‘Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance’ (BKSS) programme.

The Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) in a statement today said the heads of households in the state listed as beneficiaries of the ‘Bantuan Sara Hidup’ (BSH) aid in January and approved by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), were automatically eligible to receive the BKSS.

“BKSS recipients with bank accounts will receive cash assistance of RM250 credited into their accounts on a monthly basis for six months, namely from April 15, 2020, until Sept 15, 2020.

“For those who do not have a bank account registered with the IRB, the cash handouts can be claimed from any nearby Bank Simpanan Nasional branch by presenting the identity card as proof, and it will be paid in two phases, namely on April 17 and July 17,” it said.

According to the statement, those who meet the criteria for BKSS but are not listed as recipients can appeal via an application form that can be downloaded from or filled out online at www.sarawak.gov.my/bkssrayuan from April 18 to April 28, 2020, while the outcome of the appeal can be checked after June 15, 2020, through the same website.

The BKSS, announced by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (picture) on March 23, is aimed at addressing the economic downturn and to reduce the people’s burden following the COVID-19 outbreak and the enforcement of the Movement Control Order.