He outlined 15 measures involving the distribution of funds and essential items to frontliners, business communities, low-income earners and underprivileged people, among others.
He said those in the state are also exempted from paying their water bills for three months starting from April. This will involve 335,000 domestic consumers.
“The outbreak has brought a negative effect to the country’s economy and disrupted lives in Malaysia, including in Sabah.
“The package is intended to help ease the burden and difficulties faced by various sections of the community because of Covid-19,” he said during a press conference at the state administrative building here today.
Shafie said a special allocation of RM50 million will be channelled to frontliners to provide them with critical equipment such as face masks, sanitisers and protective outfits to help them in carrying out their work.
“We are touched by the commitment and sacrifices made by doctors, nurses, other health workers and immigration personnel in the fight against the virus,” he said.
In addition, he said RM10 million will be used to provide food supplies to frontliners such as healthcare workers and enforcement agencies, namely the police, immigration, army, Eastern Sabah Security Command and Rela members on the ground during the movement control order.
The Semporna MP said RM20 million will be specifically utilised to supply essential food items such as rice, flour, sugar and others, to all villages in Sabah.
“Community development units will be tasked to go on the ground to ensure all villages receive this aid.
“RM2 million from this allocation will be used to help financial needs, including daily essentials by Sabah students in the peninsula, following the MCO last March 18,” he said.
For the poor and hardcore poor, Shafie said, the state has decided to give a one-off payment of RM500 to each household based on the e-Kasih system, adding this will involve some RM20 million.
There are 22,456 poor households while 15,747 are categorised as hardcore poor.
He said more than 282,000 people categorised under the B40 income group will receive a one-off payment of RM300.
“This comprises a RM80 million allocation which will be distributed to Sabahans working in the peninsula (30,000 people), taxi drivers (13,132), fishermen and farmers (169,630), senior citizens, orphans and people with disabilities (62,638), single mothers (6,500 and mountain porters (339).”
Shafie said the state also agreed to provide a 30% discount on quit rent collections for this year, adding this will benefit 232,774 individuals and 9,184 companies, among others.
A 20% discount will also be given on assessment collection by local authorities for this year, he added. There are 97,641 of these taxpayers here and 221,470 in other districts.
He said hawkers are exempted from paying a licence fee by all district councils for this year, adding this will benefit 26,227 people statewide. Rebates will be given for 2021 to those who have paid for the licences this year.
Meanwhile, the state will give a 28% discount on electricity bills for three months starting April, on top of the 2% provided by the federal government.
“This will involve RM35.65 million from the state for the three months, benefiting 512,000 consumers in Sabah and Labuan,” Shafie said.
Other measures or allocations are:
- Residents at people’s housing programmes (PPR) are exempted from paying rent for six months beginning April, which involves an allocation of RM21.1 million;
- RM30 million for allowance payments of 10 months to Village Community Management Councils (MPKK), involving 2,315 MPKKS in Sabah;
- RM40 million injected under Sabah Micro Credit Fund with a low-interest rate of 2%, designed to benefit 20,000 small-time business owners;
- RM200 million for the implementation of 1,000 basic infrastructure projects in villages in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau and other districts; and,
- Injection of RM50 million into the Sabah small and medium entrepreneurs (SME) industry fund, offering a loan interest rate of 3.5%.