KUCHING: The remaining balance of the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) will be disbursed this November, following the expenditure of RM427 million out of the total RM680 million allocation as of September 2026, benefiting 823,073 recipients.

Sarawak Deputy Premier and Second Minister for Finance and New Economy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that SKAS serves as targeted government financial aid designed to assist eligible recipients in purchasing essential items to cope with the rising cost of living.

“As a responsible and caring government, we will continue to prioritise the people's welfare,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here on Wednesday.

According to Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, SKAS aid was further enhanced this year through improved eligibility criteria and funding to help ease household expenditure burdens.

Additionally, he noted that the Sarawak Government provides a 25 percent electricity bill discount to lower household expenses, alongside introducing business premise rental discounts to support hawkers, traders, and small enterprises.

The Second Minister for Finance and New Economy added that these measures form part of the state government's approach to safeguard public welfare and support economic resilience amid an increasingly challenging global environment.

“These measures require expenditure. They represent deliberate policy choices to protect our people and support economic resilience,” he added. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Jonnie Kiew
Photos: Muhammad Rais Sanusi & George Embie
Translator: Ryan Lim