KUCHING: The Sarawak Government under the leadership of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has introduced several measures to help the people cope with rising living costs following the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the measures include an increase in the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) assistance, electricity bill discounts, and rental discounts for business premises owned by local authorities.

He said the SKAS rates for 2026 have been increased from RM950 to RM1,100 for households, RM500 to RM600 for senior citizens, and RM300 to RM375 for eligible single individuals.

“Nearly 900,000 eligible recipients are expected to benefit from this assistance based on the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) 2026 recipient data.

“The assistance will be disbursed in stages across three phases throughout 2026, with the first phase already distributed in March, followed by the second phase scheduled in May and the third in November.

“This increase will involve an additional financial implication of RM136.2 million,” he said at a press conference after chairing a Sarawak Cabinet Meeting at the Satria Pertiwi Complex on Thursday.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that the total allocation for SKAS implementation in 2026 amounts to RM680 million, up from the original RM543.8 million.

In addition, he said the state government will provide a 25 per cent discount on electricity bills for domestic consumers from April to December 2026, which is expected to benefit more than 700,000 users statewide.

To support small traders, a 50 per cent discount will also be given on rental for markets and stalls under local authorities, as well as business premises under state statutory bodies, involving an estimated financial implication of RM8.1 million.

Also present at the press conference were Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, as well as Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki. -UKASnews