BY NURIN PATRA & ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will leverage its entire administrative machinery to ensure the smooth implementation of the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) assistance programme.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this initiative will involve all residents, district officers, local authorities, Service Sarawak Centres, and other administrative bodies to enhance the well-being of Sarawakians.
“SKAS is a financial aid programme for low-income groups, disbursed through digital vouchers accessible via the S Pay Global app or e-wallets for the purchase of essential food items,” he told a press conference after visiting the Sarawak Service Centre at UTC Building today (Jan 5).
“Eligible recipients are Sarawak citizens with a ‘K’ identification card residing in Sarawak and listed as beneficiaries of the 2024 Phase 4 Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) based on Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) data,” he added.
As Finance and New Economy Minister, Abang Johari said those not listed under STR but meeting the eligibility criteria can submit their applications from February 1 to March 31, 2025.
Based on the STR recipient list, the total number of eligible SKAS recipients is 886,288, comprising 410,529 households, 361,295 single individuals, and 114,464 senior citizens without spouses or children.
The financial assistance totals RM464.5 million, distributed as follows: RM800 per household (RM328.4 million), RM250 per single individual (RM90.3 million), and RM400 for senior citizens without spouses or children (RM45.8 million).
This brings the total value of the SKAS assistance to RM464.5 million, excluding those who will submit applications later.
He reiterated that as announced in the Sarawak budget, RM450 million has been allocated to assist citizens facing the rising cost of living.
“We hope this will alleviate their burden. Approximately 800,000 Sarawakians will benefit from this assistance,” he said.
“Our goal and vision for Sarawak is to ensure food security for our people and communities. Therefore, our assistance focuses solely on essential items, specifically groceries.”
He said the groceries, including rice, sugar, salt, tea, coffee, and milk, are provided to ensure families, especially those with school-going children, have sufficient nutrition to support their cognitive abilities and energy levels.
“We do not want anyone in the community to be left behind in this effort. This is the only form of assistance we are providing to the people. It stems from our observation that the state’s revenue has increased slightly, so we are giving back to the people,” he said.
SKAS will be launched in the Serian Division on February 18 and the SKAS assistance will be credited to recipients’ S Pay Global e-wallets starting from the same date.
Eligible Sarawakians who have not yet registered with S Pay Global need not worry, as registration will remain open throughout the year.
