KUCHING: Sarawak will increase financial assistance under the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak scheme next year to address rising living costs, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
The scheme was first implemented in 2025 with an allocation of RM557mil, providing RM250 to RM800 annually to eligible Sarawakians.
Under the revised assistance, households earning RM5,000 and below will receive RM950 per year, up by RM150.
Senior citizens without spouses or children earning RM5,000 and below will receive RM500, up from RM400.
Single individuals earning RM2,500 and below will receive RM300, up from RM250.
“With this increase, we are allocating RM640mil under the 2026 Budget and expect more than one million recipients to benefit,” he said on Monday (Nov 24).
He said the assistance will be disbursed once every four months to ensure consistent support.
Abang Johari said Sarawak will introduce a carbon levy on the oil and gas and energy sectors next year under the Environmental (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases) Ordinance 2023.
He said the levy will apply to emissions generated within Sarawak by regulated facilities in these sectors.
Abang Johari added revenue will go to a climate change fund for renewables, energy efficiency, grid modernisation, forest conservation and climate resilient projects.
“The carbon levy is poised to become a future revenue source for Sarawak,” he said.
He added that Sarawak will work with the Federal Government to harmonise Malaysia’s future carbon tax and pricing architecture.
“With our ordinance already in force, Sarawak is well positioned to support national decarbonisation and a strong domestic carbon market,” he said.
