Minister: SKAS aid to strengthen social safety net for 14,818 Asajaya residents

Abdul Karim greeting the youth attending the iftar gathering at the Lan Berambeh Sungkey Belia Samarahan @ Asajaya 2026 at the Asajaya Sports Complex on Mar 7, 2026.

By Wilfred Pilo

KUCHING, Mar 7: A total of 14,818 residents in the Asajaya State constituency are eligible to receive assistance under the Sarawak Basic Needs Contribution (SKAS) initiative, says Asajaya assemblyman Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

He said the Sarawak government, through SKAS, remains committed to strengthening the social safety net to support the people, particularly low-income groups, in coping with rising living costs.

Abdul Karim, who is also the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts and Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, added that 7,532 recipients in the household category will receive RM950 each.

“In addition, 1,883 senior citizens will receive RM500 each, while 5,403 single recipients will receive RM300 each,” he said to reporters after distributing 100 packets of bubur lambuk to members of the public during the inaugural Lan Berambeh Sungkey Belia Samarahan @ Asajaya 2026 held at the Asajaya Sports Complex today.

Abdul Karim added that the SKAS assistance will be distributed in three phases March 10, July 7, and November 10 of this year.

Meanwhile, he noted that the programme was organised for the first time in his constituency by the Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) and the National Anti-Drugs Association Malaysia (Pemadam) Samarahan, which also contributed 1,500 packets of porridge for the event.

He also added that 276 underprivileged residents attended the programme.

At the same time, Abdul Karim expressed hope that the approximately 400 underprivileged households registered with the welfare department in his constituency would continue to receive support.

He urged community leaders to ensure that the needs of underprivileged residents celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year are not overlooked.

“The welfare of the underprivileged is the responsibility of our community leaders. I hope you will continue to identify those in need and their requirements, regardless of race or religion in the constituency,” he said.

Also present was Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau. — DayakDaily