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Wee gestures during his ShallWeeTalk live session on April 18, 2026. Advertisement
By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 18: Claims that the Sarawak government has sidelined the business sector, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in its latest cost-of-living assistance package are misleading, as Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has already made clear that the government remains on standby to extend further support to affected sectors through targeted measures following engagements with industry groups.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said such criticisms were misleading, adding that they either stem from selective interpretation of the Premier’s announcement or attempts to create unnecessary controversy.
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He stressed that the State government’s approach is phased and consultative, rather than a blanket rollout that excludes any particular group.
“Of course, no policy can satisfy everyone completely. But what we can see is that this is a crisis-management approach with a ripple-effect strategy. If we do not act early, people will feel the government is not doing enough. So this is just the starting point,” he said during his ShallWeeTalk live session today.
Wee reiterated that the Premier had clearly indicated the government would engage various chambers of commerce and industry associations to better understand the needs of businesses, particularly SMEs, before finalising any additional assistance measures.
“This is not a case of neglecting the business community. The Premier has clearly said the government is on standby. What is important now is engagement so that assistance can be more targeted and effective,” he added.
He said the current package represents only the first phase of announcements, noting that it demonstrates the government’s commitment to safeguarding people’s welfare amid global economic uncertainties.
“We should support the government and remain positive. Since many groups are already benefiting, we should be thankful,” he said.
Wee added that the State’s approach mirrors previous assistance frameworks such as the Covid-19-era Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) packages, which were rolled out in phases and refined based on feedback from various sectors.
He cautioned against selective interpretations of policy announcements, saying such practices could create confusion and distort public understanding of government intentions.
“If we only pick parts of the statement and ignore the full explanation, it may look like something is missing. But in reality, the mechanism is there. It is just being fine-tuned through consultation,” he said.
Wee also stressed that the current assistance measures form part of a broader effort to cushion the impact of global economic uncertainties and rising living costs driven by geopolitical tensions.
“The Premier has already shown that the government is responsive. The next step is engagement with chambers, SMEs and industry players so that no group is unintentionally left behind,” he said.
He urged the public and stakeholders to allow the process to unfold, noting that more targeted support measures are expected once consultations are completed.
“That is why crisis management must be done in phases and quickly. I hope people remain calm and avoid overly negative interpretations. When the government implements something beneficial, we should not immediately look for faults while ignoring the bigger picture,” he said.
On April 16, the Sarawak government announced a RM876.2 million special aid package aimed at helping the public cope with rising living costs amid global uncertainties. The measures include increased assistance under the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) scheme for households, senior citizens and single individuals, a 25 per cent electricity discount until year-end, and a 50 per cent rental discount for small traders and MSMEs operating in government-owned premises. — DayakDaily
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