By Amanda L
KUCHING, Mar 7: The Sarawak government’s Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) 2026 programme is expected to strengthen domestic demand while helping residents cope with rising living costs, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Launching the programme at Bazar Ramadan Stutong today, he said the RM640 million allocation for this year’s initiative will directly inject spending power into the local economy as recipients use the assistance to purchase basic necessities.
According to him, increased spending by households will help sustain business activity and create a multiplier effect across the State’s retail sector.
“When domestic demand increases, businesses continue operating and the entire economic system benefits. This means the government is injecting funds directly into the economy so people can spend and help keep economic activities moving,” he said during his speech at the event.
The programme is expected to benefit 857,814 Sarawakians, comprising 395,802 households, 335,591 single individuals, and 126,421 senior citizens without spouses.
“The value of assistance has been increased this year, with households receiving RM950 annually, up from RM800 previously, while single senior citizens will receive RM500, compared to RM400 last year.
“Assistance for single individuals has been raised to RM300, up from RM250,” he added.
The aid will be distributed in three phases beginning Mar 10, followed by May and Nov 2026, and will be channelled through the S Pay Global e-wallet, allowing recipients to purchase essential food items such as rice, sugar, coffee and tea using their smartphones.
About 2,249 supermarkets and retail outlets across Sarawak are participating in the programme, enabling recipients to use the assistance at selected premises statewide.
Abang Johari said the State government introduced SKAS as a direct intervention to help residents manage rising costs while ensuring families have access to basic food supplies, in line with the government’s policy of ensuring every household is able to meet its daily needs. — DayakDaily
