SIBU: Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee has disbursed RM105,100 in funds under the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Pelawan service centre here last night (28 Mar).
The funds were distributed under three categories: Education Incentive (25 recipients), Newlywed Incentive (80 recipients), and Newborn Incentive (192 recipients).
Tiang, who is also the Pelawan assemblyman, said this initiative is part of his efforts to encourage residents in his constituency to start families and have children to help prevent Sarawak from becoming an ageing state.
“We need to encourage young people to start families. Sarawak is one of the ageing societies. I don’t have the exact figure, but I believe about 16 per cent of our population is elderly, and this number is increasing,” he said when met by reporters during the handover of the incentives.
He added that while the Sarawak government has a great vision for the future—focusing on green energy, aerospace, and other industries—without a younger generation, the state will face workforce shortages.
“We need a lot of young talents. That’s why Sarawak has introduced various initiatives, including free tertiary education in 2026, Bantuan Ibu Bersalin (BIB), and the RM1,000 Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) savings for every child born in Sarawak,” he said.
Tiang acknowledged that starting a family and raising children in today’s challenging economic climate is not easy but emphasised that it is essential for Sarawak’s future.
“Therefore, most of the revenue generated by the Sarawak government is invested in our future generations,” he added.
Tiang said that in 2024, a total of 269 newborns in Pelawan received incentives, while 92 newlyweds received incentives, and 25 individuals received education incentives.
