Premier to announce aid package tomorrow (April 16) to ease rising living costs for Sarawakians

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By Amanda L

KUCHING, Apr 15: The Sarawak government will unveil a form of assistance this Thursday (April 16) to help residents cope with rising living costs linked to global economic uncertainty stemming from tensions in the Middle East.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the move is intended to cushion the impact of escalating prices triggered by the ongoing conflict involving the United States–Israel and Iran, which has disrupted global markets and pushed up the cost of goods.

“Insya-Allah, this Thursday I will announce what I plan to provide to the people of Sarawak in response to the rising cost of living,” he announced in his speech at the 30th anniversary celebration of Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad at a hotel here on Tuesday (Apr 14).

Rising living costs, he noted, are closely tied to volatility in global energy markets as geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt supply chains.

Disruptions in major oil and gas-producing regions have exposed the fragility of international energy supply, with the effects spreading quickly across sectors such as transportation, food production and manufacturing.

“When energy prices rise, the effects are not isolated. They cascade across the global economy, impacting transportation costs, food prices, manufacturing, and ultimately, the cost of living for ordinary people,” he said.

Against this backdrop, Sarawak has been pushing to strengthen its position in downstream energy activities as part of a broader shift from exporting raw resources to producing higher value-added energy products.

“Thank God we are producing methanol,” he added, referring to Sarawak’s growing role in gas-based industries that support resilience in the regional energy supply chain. — DayakDaily

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