SKAS payments to be credited to eligible Sarawakians before Hari Raya, says premier

KUCHING, March 6 2026: This year’s Sarawak Basic Needs Contribution (SKAS) payments will be credited to eligible recipients before the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

Premier Abang Johari Abang Openg (picture) said the distribution of the aid payments is nable Sarawakians to prepare for the Hari Raya celebration.

“So we will launch it during the month of Ramadan, where eligible recipients can check on SarawakPay to see if the contribution has been credited by the Sarawak Government to help recipients buy essential items,” he said.

He said this when speaking at the Symbolic Handover Ceremony of the 2026 Raya Contribution at the Satria Pertiwi Complex today.

The premier added that the implementation of SKAS reflects the Sarawak government’s commitment to ensuring that the welfare of the people continues to be protected, especially in helping them obtain basic daily necessities.

“So this effort is to ensure that their kitchens are always 'smoky'.

“When we practice policies that are based on the interests of the people, it will make all our daily affairs easier,” he explained.

This year, the Sarawak government has announced an increase in the SKAS assistance rate as a step to strengthen the state's social safety net.

Households with an income of RM5,000 and below now receive an increase in assistance from RM800 to RM950 per year, with each payment amounting to RM316.

Senior citizens without a spouse or child with an income of RM5,000 and below receive an increase from RM400 to RM500 per year (RM166 per payment), while single individuals with an income of RM2,500 and below enjoy an increase from RM250 to RM300 per year, equivalent to RM100 per payment.

Also present were Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker  Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development Fatimah Abdullah, Deputy Ministers of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development Rosey Yunus and Mohammad Razi Sitam, Sarawak deputy ministers and heads of government departments.