KUCHING: The Social Welfare Department (JKM) will assist in managing payments for eligible recipients of the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) under the department.
Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said eligible recipients who have previously received aid under JKM will automatically receive the assistance which will be remitted directly into their bank accounts.
“This decision was made during a meeting this morning and after assessing the situation where many senior citizens and individuals with disabilities (OKU) had to endure long queues at SPay Global offices recently,” she said to reporters during her visit to the Kenyalang Gold Card strategic partnet, Jasmin Jawahar Company, located at India Street, today (Dec 8).
Fatimah elaborated that all eligible recipients would receive the assistance in cash, which would be distributed directly into their bank accounts.
“Most of those involved, including single mothers, bedridden patients, and senior citizens, particularly in rural areas, do not own advanced smartphones.
“For this reason, JKM will assist any aid recipients, including senior citizens, in receiving SKAS contributions in cash, deposited directly into their bank accounts.
“The Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit (SCSDU) and SAINS will conduct eligibility checks according to categories, such as RM800 for households, RM400 for senior citizens, and RM250 for single individuals.
“The allocation will then be channelled to JKM to make payments to eligible recipients,” she explained.
For the record, SKAS is a financial aid programme provided by the state government to Sarawakians.
The funds received cannot be withdrawn as cash, transferred, used for bill payments, or redeemed for eGifts. The funds are limited to participating stores that accept payments through the SPay Global app only.
The Sarawak Service Counter at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Kuching was recently crowded, with many applicants arriving to register for SKAS applications.
However, many SKAS applicants reportedly faced technical difficulties related to the SPay Global app and Sarawak ID, including issues with facial recognition, suspended or blocked accounts.
