SKAS aid increased to ease cost of living, says Wong

SIBU (March 14): The Sarawak government has increased the amount of assistance under the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) this year to help ease the cost of living, particularly among those in the lower-income group.

Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the assistance for households has been raised from RM300 to RM950, while aid for senior citizens has been increased from RM400 to RM500 and lastly assistance for single individuals has also been increased from RM250 to RM300.

“The assistance will be distributed in three phases this year, namely in March, May and November,” he said when launching the SKAS 2026 programme for the Bawang Assan constituency at Medan Supermarket (Unicity Sibu) on Saturday.

According to Wong, SKAS was introduced by the Sarawak government last year as an intervention measure to address the rising cost of living due to increasing prices of goods.

He said the initiative was aimed at helping those most affected by the rising cost of daily necessities, especially among the lower-income group.

Wong added that more than 90 per cent of SKAS recipients this year have already registered with the SPay Global platform, and the number continues to increase daily.

“With the widespread use of SPay Global throughout Sarawak, the state government will be able to channel assistance more effectively and in a more targeted manner,” he said.

He also reminded recipients to utilise the assistance responsibly and according to its intended purpose.

The event also saw the presentation of appointment certificates to several community leaders and headmen (KMKK) for the Bawang Assan area.

Among those present were political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak Joshua Ting Fu Ying, Sibu Resident’s Office representative Diana Toh Kah Yien, Sibu Rural District Council chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai, council secretary Ng Siang Wee and Sibu District Office representative Sylvia Lau Gin Si.