BENEFICIARIES of Sarawak’s cost-of-living assistance have expressed their gratitude to the state government as the first phase of financial aid reaches thousands of households across the region.
“Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak” (SKAS) 2026, designed to buffer the impact of inflation, was met with relief by residents such as mother-of-one Eileen Chen.
She received RM950 under the household category, presented by Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng.
“I am happy and relieved to be selected for this financial aid,” said Chen, 31.
“This helps me cope with the rising cost of living,” she said at the SKAS 2026 launch ceremony for Bukit Assek state constituency in Sibu.
The sentiment was shared by 67-year-old widow Kiu Tuong Ping, who received RM500 under the senior citizens category.
Sarawak government is rolling out SKAS 2026 to ease the financial burden of vulnerable groups, identifying 857,814 eligible recipients based on the Phase One 2026 database of the Federal “Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah”.
The assistance is being distributed in three phases throughout the year, with the first phase –involving an allocation of RM179.6mil – having started on March 10.
A second wave of payments, also totalling RM179.6mil, is scheduled for May 15 to ensure continuity of support.
The final phase is set for Nov 10, with a slightly higher allocation of RM180.6mil.
