KUCHING: Financial assistance under the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) initiative will be credited directly into recipients’ SPay Global e-wallets from Feb 18, ensuring swift and efficient delivery to low-income families across Sarawak.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said with an allocation of RM450 million under the 2025 Sarawak Budget, SKAS will ensure that every household in the state has sufficient food supplies, enabling children to go to school healthy and energised to gain knowledge for a brighter future.
“SKAS symbolises Sarawak’s commitment to sharing its prosperity with its people, the result of our collective efforts that have brought about growth and success.
“By leveraging digital platforms, we can also deliver public services more efficiently, ensuring that no one is left behind,” he said during the Amanat Perdana Premier Sarawak 2025 programme at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
Abang Johari, who is also the Finance and New Economy Minister explained that the state rolled out SKAS to provide financial assistance to Sarawakians from lower-income families.
“This is our promise and determination – to continue growing together, moving forward, and creating a better future for the people of Sarawak,” he said.
Earlier, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki said that as of Jan 12, a total of 398,942 SKAS assistance applications, which accounts for 45 per cent of the target, were recorded.
“However, we are also aware of the challenges faced by some individuals, particularly those who are less digitally literate.
“We, at the Sarawak Civil Service, will ensure that SKAS and other initiatives by the state government effectively reach the people,” he said.
SKAS is a financial assistance for low-income groups provided through digital vouchers, accessible via the SPay Global e-wallet application for purchasing basic food items.
Eligible recipients are Sarawak residents with a ‘K’ identification card who reside in Sarawak and beneficiaries of the Phase 4 Sumbangan Tunai Rumah (STR) in 2024, based on information from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
Meanwhile, those who are not listed in the STR but meet the eligibility criteria can submit their applications from Feb 1 to March 31.
