SKAS recipients left out can verify with Inland Revenue Board as eligibility based on STR database

Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance or Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS).

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, April 16: Eligible recipients of the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) who were left out of the list can check and update their status with the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the SKAS distribution is based on official data provided by the IRB, and any omission could be rectified through re-registration or verification with the agency.

“What we need is for them to meet IRB because they hold the list. If they were left out, they can be registered or re-registered,” he said when announcing additional reliefs to ease rising cost-of-living for Sarawakians at a press conference after chairing the State Cabinet Meeting at the Satria Pertiwi Complex, which was broadcast live via TVS and UKAS channels today.

Abang Johari said the State government estimates about 900,000 recipients under the enhanced SKAS programme, which is aimed at cushioning the impact of rising cost of living.

“If anyone feels they were left out, please go to IRB. We must follow the list,” he added.

The Sarawak government has announced an increase in SKAS cash assistance, raising support for households to RM1,100, senior citizens to RM600, and single individuals to RM375, as part of efforts to ease cost-of-living pressures linked to global economic conditions arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Under the revised SKAS 2026 allocation, households will receive RM1,100, up from RM950; senior citizens RM600, up from RM500; and single individuals RM375, up from RM300.

Eligible recipients are based on the 2026 Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) database.

Payments will be disbursed in three phases throughout 2026, with the first phase already implemented in March, followed by the second phase in May, and the final phase in November.

The increase in SKAS payouts involves an additional RM136.2 million, bringing the total allocation for the programme to RM680 million in 2026, up from RM543 million previously. — DayakDaily