KUCHING: Microenterprises in Sarawak will receive one-off assistance of RM3,000 from the state government under the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang special aid package.

       Announcing this on Thursday (Oct 14), Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the aid would benefit about 24,600 microenterprises registered with the Social Security Organisation (Socso) as of March 31.

       "This financial assistance will be paid in December and will cost the government direct expenditure of RM73.8mil," he said.

       Eligible microenterprises are required to provide supporting documents online through the Sarawak Portal, which will be available by the end of this month.

       Abang Johari also said one-off assistance of RM10,000 for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sarawak would be extended to those registered with Socso as of March 31.

       The assistance was previously announced on Aug 4 for SMEs registered with Socso as of Dec 31 last year.

       The extension is expected to benefit 470 active business entities at a total cost of RM4.7mil.

       "I hope these measures will ease the financial burden of our business community and enable them to move forward in the recovery phase of the Covid-19 pandemic," Abang Johari said.

       He urged eligible SMEs to provide the required supporting documents, including proof of Sarawakian ownership and bank details, to facilitate payment of the assistance.