By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 14: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today passed the Supplementary Supply (2026) Bill, 2026, approving an additional RM1,323,340,000 (RM1.323 billion) for ordinary expenditure and RM391 million for development expenditure, covering cost-of-living measures, infrastructure works, welfare support, and ongoing State programmes.
When tabling the Bill, Deputy Premier as well as Minister for Finance and New Economy II Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the supplementary allocations were provided under Article 32 of the State Constitution and were necessary to meet additional financial requirements across ministries and departments.
For ordinary expenditure, the House approved RM1.323 billion, including a substantial RM1 billion allocation to the State Financial Secretary’s Office to be channelled into statutory funds to cover development expenditure.
He also disclosed that RM188 million is required by the Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunication (MUT) to fund a 25 per cent discount on domestic electricity bills, introduced via Sarawak Basic Needs Contribution (SKAS) to ease the burden of rising living costs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, RM90 million was allocated to the Department of the Premier of Sarawak, comprising RM40 million for revised allowances for Ketua Kaum and Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK), and RM50 million for government office building rentals.
The Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) received RM13.34 million, of which RM7.99 million is for increased special fixed monthly allowances and medical benefits for councillors in 27 local authorities, and RM5.35 million for a 50 per cent rental discount on markets and stalls under local authorities.
An additional RM20 million was allocated to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) for preparation and participation in SUKMA XXII Selangor Darul Ehsan 2026, while the State Social Welfare Department received RM12 million for Para SUKMA XXII.
For development expenditure, the Assembly also approved an additional RM391 million, involving five sub-activities and seven sub-sub activities.
Among the allocations, RM50 million is required by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) for contractual payments related to emergency response works for damaged public infrastructure across Sarawak.
The MUT received RM66 million, comprising RM46 million for the Serian Regional Water Supply Phase II project and RM20 million for the proposed Lundu Water Treatment Plant in the Kuching Division.
Meanwhile, RM100 million was allocated to the State Financial Secretary’s Office under the Special Development Assistance Fund to implement various social programmes and projects throughout the State.
MYSED was allocated RM35 million for contractual payments related to the upgrading and rehabilitation of the Sarawak Stadium.
The Department of the Premier of Sarawak received RM140 million, comprising RM100 million for ongoing development projects Statewide and RM40 million to increase the SKAS to eligible recipients to help ease the impact of rising living costs.
Details of the supplementary allocations are contained in Command Papers No. 6 and No. 8 of 2026. — DayakDaily
