LATEST assistance initiatives are aimed at safeguarding livelihoods and maintaining Sarawak’s economic resilience during global instability, says Second Minister of Finance and New Economy, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Uggah said that by supporting households and local businesses as best as it can, the government aims to preserve a Sarawak that is strong, secure and stable.
“Among the immediate and proactive measures implemented and further enhanced by the government are increased financial support through Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS), electricity bill discounts for the people, support for local enterprises, and reductions in timber royalties,” he said.
He said this in his ministerial winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today (May 20).
Under the SKAS programme, Uggah said that assistance has been increased to RM1,100 per household, RM600 for senior citizens, and RM375 for single recipients, benefiting nearly 900,000 people statewide.
He added that the programme, with a total allocation of RM680 million, will be distributed in three phases in March, May and November 2026 via S Pay Global, aimed at easing the burden of rising living costs while also supporting domestic consumption.
Uggah, who is also Deputy Premier, also said the government has introduced a 25 per cent electricity bill discount for domestic consumers from April to December 2026, benefiting more than 700,000 households with a total allocation of RM188.1 million.
For local enterprises, a 50 per cent rental discount has been provided for traders in markets, stalls and premises under local authorities and statutory bodies, involving RM8.1 million in relief.
“The measure is intended to reduce operating costs for hawkers, micro-enterprises and SMEs, thereby sustaining their business continuity and boosting customer confidence.
“Together with SKAS, they form a comprehensive support ecosystem; empowering households, sustaining local businesses, and reinforcing Sarawak’s economic resilience in the face of global uncertainties,” he said.
Additionally, he said the state government has also approved a 50 per cent reduction in forest royalty, premium and tariff rates for milling and export logs extracted from natural forests for all forest timber licences, excluding Sarawak Timber Industries Tariff, effective from April 20, 2026 to April 19, 2027.
