SIBU: Starting mid-February next year, commercial vehicle operators can renew their licences online.

       "Through the implementation of this online licence application, licensees will no longer have to fill in forms manually at the CVLB office," said Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) chairman Dr Lipin Lamat said on Thursday (Dec 2).

       "Applications and payments will be made online, and applicants only need to be present at the CVLB office to pick up their licence," he added.

       Lipin was speaking at a dialogue session with the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Association.

       He said, CVLB Sarawak planned to hold several engagement sessions with licensing associations to help commercial vehicle operators familiarise themselves with the new system.

       On a separate matter, Lipin said CVLB Sarawak had been entrusted to help distribute a one off government assistance under the Malaysian Economic and People's Protection Program (Permai) and People's Empowerment Strategic Program and Economics (Pemerkasa) to eligible commercial vehicle operators.

       "Under this program, recipients comprising taxi drivers, rental cars, school buses, tourist buses and e-hailing drivers will receive a one-off assistance of RM500 from the government," he said.

       "In 2021, the Permai initiative benefited a total of 4,140 people. While under the Pemerkasa, a total of 4,094 recipients have been eligible for assistance," said Dr Lipin who was the incumbent for the Lambir seat at the 12th Sarawak State Election.

       He said, under the State government financial assistance in Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) 6.0, taxi drivers, rental cars and school bus operators registered in the state were also receiving RM600, while e-hailing operators of RM500 were given on a 'one-off' basis paid through the Sarawak Pay app.

       This dialogue session was the third in a series after one in Miri and Kuching were held on Nov 25 and 26, respectively.