Monday, 11 August 2025

SUPP urges for greater clarity of relief measures

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KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has welcomed the federal government’s recent cost of living relief measures but called for greater clarity and inclusive implementation, particularly for rural and working-class Sarawakians.

The party’s Stakan Branch chairman Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok said while the initiatives announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday were generally well-received, there remain key areas that require further explanation to ensure that Sarawakians fully benefit.

“From a Sarawakian perspective, many of the measures are timely and helpful, but we hope for better clarity especially on the mechanism of the targeted fuel subsidy and inclusive execution across all regions,” he said in a statement.

He stressed that the use of MyKad as a delivery method for the fuel subsidy and the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) assistance must take into account Sarawak’s vast rural landscape and digital infrastructure challenges.

On the SARA assistance, Sim said the one-off RM100 payout to all Malaysian adults aged 18 and above is a modest but appreciated gesture that offers short-term relief.

“It is particularly helpful to youths and rural dwellers, and its nationwide usability at over 4,100 outlets from August to December 2025 increases accessibility,” he added.

Touching on the government’s move to reduce RON95 petrol to RM1.99 per litre via a targeted subsidy, Sim noted that the approach could benefit Sarawakians who rely heavily on personal vehicles due to limited public transport.

“However, we urge the government to clarify the qualifying income threshold and any fuel volume limits per individual. These details are crucial for fair and effective implementation,” he said.

Sim also commended the federal government’s decision to declare Sept 15 as a national public holiday, saying it promotes unity and provides an opportunity for families including those in Sarawak to spend quality time together.

At the same time, he welcomed the doubling of allocations under the Rahmah MADANI sales programme to RM600 million, which now covers all 600 state constituencies nationwide.

“We hope these affordable sales events will be held regularly in Sarawak’s rural areas, where the cost of living and limited access to goods remain pressing issues,” he said.

While acknowledging that the postponement of toll hikes has little direct impact on Sarawakians due to the absence of toll roads in the state, Sim said it still benefits Sarawakians working, studying or doing business in Peninsular Malaysia.

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