By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 18: Approximately 90,000 residents in Kuching have yet to register for the Sarawak Basic Necessities Assistance (SKAS) programme, which offers cash aid ranging from RM250 to RM800, with the rollout scheduled to begin on Feb 18.
In response, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian highlighted that Resident Offices, alongside teams from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Sains, and SPay Global, will organise a series of events to assist eligible recipients in registering for Sarawak ID and SPay.
“Of course, there is no need to rush as registration can be done throughout the year. Through these mass registration initiatives at temporary service centres, we aim to guide and encourage Sarawakians to register and claim their entitled assistance,” he stated.
He made these remarks when officiating the Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian Divisions’ media appreciation event today.
Dr Sim, who also serves as Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, emphasised that the cash aid serves as a small but meaningful gesture from the Sarawak government to ease the financial burden amid rising living costs.
“Ninety thousand unregistered individuals is quite significant,” he added.
Addressing today’s event, Federation president Datuk Richard Wee expressed appreciation to the media and stakeholders for their consistent support and coverage of the federation’s activities over the past year.
“We hope to continue this collaboration and cooperation in the years ahead,” he added.
Meanwhile, temporary service centres have been set up in various locations across Sarawak to facilitate SKAS registration from today until Feb 7.
Individuals who did not initially qualify for the SKAS programme may reapply between Feb 1 and March 31.
The SKAS initiative is part of Sarawak Budget 2025, which allocates RM450 million to support over 850,000 Sarawakians.
Eligibility criteria include households with income of RM5,000 and below will receive RM800; senior citizens without spouses and children, with an income of RM5,000 and below, will receive RM400; while single individuals with income of RM2,500 and below will receive RM250.
The financial aid will be disbursed via the SPay e-wallet, allowing recipients, particularly those from lower-income groups, to purchase essential items such as rice, flour, and cooking oil.
The public can access https://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/p_service_catalogue/757 to check the programme’s criteria and eligibility details. — DayakDaily
