By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 24: Sarawak Budget 2026 stands as a clear promise that every Sarawakian will be empowered to succeed, prosperity will be shared, and community resilience will be strengthened in ensuring no one is left behind.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the values resonate strongly with the true spirit of Christmas, centred on gratitude, togetherness, and compassion.
“The people-centric budget tabled by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg reflects the State government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development, transcending religion, race, and geography.
“This budget is not merely a financial statement; it is a promise that every Sarawakian will be empowered to succeed, prosperity will be shared, and community resilience will be strengthened to ensure no one is left behind,” he said in his Christmas Day 2025 message today.
Uggah highlighted that the RM9.3 billion development allocation for 2026, of which RM6.1 billion or 66 per cent is earmarked for rural areas, underscores the government’s firm priority on balanced development and addressing grassroots needs across the State.
On religious harmony, he welcomed the RM120 million allocation to the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) in 2026, bringing total funding for houses of worship to RM475 million since 2015, a testament to the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s consistent support for all faiths.
“This allocation reflects Sarawak government’s commitment to preserving inter-faith harmony, which forms the foundation of Sarawak’s stability and strength,” he added.
In advancing human capital development, Uggah praised the introduction of free higher education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes at Sarawak-owned universities, alongside a RM665 million allocation for education and skills development to ensure a competitive future workforce.
To ease cost-of-living pressures, he highlighted that the State government has allocated RM640 million for the Sarawak Basic Needs Contribution (SKAS) in 2026, with enhanced assistance of RM950 per family, RM500 for senior citizens, and RM300 for single individuals.
Uggah also expressed confidence in the Premier’s leadership, noting that it has successfully united Sarawak’s multi-racial and multi-religious society while steering the state towards sustainable prosperity under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“I call upon Sarawakians to continue to give full support to his leadership to ensure Sarawak will continue to prosper, peaceful and harmonious in line with PCDS 2030 vision that Sarawak will enjoy economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability,” he urged.
In closing, he called on the Christian community and all Sarawakians to celebrate Christmas with gratitude and to step into 2026 with unity, renewed hope, and a shared commitment to building a brighter Sarawak.
“My warmest wishes and a joyous and blessed Merry Christmas to all Christian communities,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
