KUCHING: The Sarawak Government continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting the people while stimulating the state’s economy with the launch of the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) 2026, with a total allocation of RM640 million.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the initiative is not only intended to help the public obtain essential goods, but also serves as a direct injection into the state economy through increased domestic demand.

According to him, greater spending among the people will drive business activity and, in turn, benefit the entire local economic ecosystem.

“When domestic demand increases, businesses will continue to operate and this will benefit the people as well as our economic system.

“This means we are injecting RM640 million into the state’s economy to assist the people so that they are able to spend, which will further stimulate economic activity,” he said.

He said this while officiating at the Sarawak-level launch of the SKAS 2026 at the Stutong Ramadan Bazaar here on Saturday.

In the same speech, he noted that SKAS, introduced last year, represents a direct intervention by the Sarawak Government to help the people cope with rising living costs following the increase in the prices of goods.

He explained that during the first year of the programme’s implementation, the Sarawak Government spent RM480.2 million, benefitting more than 888,000 eligible recipients.

Following the positive impact shown, the programme has been further strengthened this year with an allocation of RM539.8 million, comprising RM179.6 million for the first phase of disbursement, RM179.6 million for the second phase, and RM180.6 million for the third phase.

In addition, the value of the assistance has been increased to RM950 per year for households, RM500 per year for elderly individuals without spouses, and RM300 per year for single individuals.

“All payments will be channelled in three phases into the S Pay Global (e-wallet) accounts of eligible recipients starting March 10, to facilitate Muslims in making preparations ahead of Hari Raya.

“The second phase will be implemented in 25 May in conjunction with the Gawai Festival, while the third phase will take place on November 10 to assist with preparations for children returning to school,” he added.

During the event, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also officiated the symbolic launch by presenting SKAS assistance replicas to six representatives of recipients from the categories of elderly individuals without spouses, households, and single individuals.

Also present to witness the launch were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Sarawak Deputy Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Director of the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit Datu Ir Ts Awang Mohammad Fadillah Awang Redzuan, heads of departments, and other invited guests.

For information, SKAS recipients comprise households with an income of RM5,000 and below, single individuals earning RM2,500 and below, as well as elderly persons without spouses or children with an income of RM5,000 and below.

The assistance will continue to be channelled through S Pay Global for the purchase of essential food items at 2,249 participating supermarkets and shops throughout Sarawak.

The financial assistance can be utilised throughout the year, and recipients may check their status via the S Pay Global application or through the link https://sarawak.gov.my -UKASnews

Translator: Uilson Ng