Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (SHEDA) highlights the Sarawak government's decision to implement the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 7.0. Its president, Augustine Wong Chung Ho, stated that the effort will provide immediate assistance to the state's economic sectors.

President Augustine Wong said in a statement, “SHEDA is most heartened to note that under the BKSS 7.0 the government is granting automatic Extension of Time (EOT) of maximum 60 days for projects delayed due to the imposition of MCO 3.0. Subsequently, the contractors would not be penalised based on the waiver of the Liquidated and Ascertained Damage (LAD) imposed during the gazetted MCO period.

“Such a move has greatly relieved the burden of the housing developers who encountered delay and hardship due to the MCO restrictions in carrying out construction works at sites.”

He went on to say that the BKSS 7.0 allows for the renewal of Foreign Workers Employment Permits (FWEP) for agriculture, mining, construction, and services, with the labour licence valid until December 31, 2022.

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President Augustine Wong added, “SHEDA believes that these actions would facilitate the continuation of construction activities and eradicate further delay of the completion of housing projects and assist in labour shortage of the construction sector.

“SHEDA sees that the Sarawak government is hearing the call of the housing industry and the BKSS 7.0 is a positive step towards helping the industry in this time of hard-hit Covid-19 pandemic. It would be a catalyst of growth and will result in a spin-off of more economic activities and employment in addition to more infrastructure development and revenue for the state.”

However, President Augustine Wong noted that SHEDA anticipates the state government to undertake more medium and long-term recovery measures based on longer-term strategic goals, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that housing remains affordable for ‘Anak Sarawak.'