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.

 

 

Petros-JTM sign MoU to establish framework for collaboration with ADTEC JTM

\KUCHING, March 6 2026: Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) today formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Manpower Department (JTM) to establish a framework for collaboration with Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC JTM) Miri Campus. 
 

Caption: Exchanging documents between JTM director general Rospiagos Taha (second right) and Petros representative Ismail Said

Through this collaboration, Petros will work across ADTEC campuses in Sarawak to deliver a competency-based, industry-aligned training model aimed at equipping more than 500 Sarawakians in 2026 with high-demand trade skills, including welding, scaffolding, blasting and painting, mechanical fitting, and pipe fitting.

The participants will also obtain industry-recognised certifications such as the Oil & Gas Safety Passport (OGSP) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Green Card.

“As projects under the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR) continue to progress, the demand for capable and well-prepared talent will grow,” Petros senior vice president for human capital, corporate relations and services Ismail Said at the signing of the MoU.

“This makes collaboration with training partners increasingly important to ensure Sarawakians gain relevant skills, practical exposure and confidence to participate in these opportunities,” he said.

The signing ceremony was attended by Director General of JTM Rospiagos Taha and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Anielia Siam.

The initiative forms part of Petros’ ELEVATE (Empowering Learning, Advancing Talent Employability) – formerly known as the Train & Place programme – which advances a structured pathway from capability building to employment.

Since its inception, the programme has benefited over 500 Sarawakians through industry collaborations supporting the objectives of the SGR and Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 by strengthening local technical competencies and workforce readiness.

Job seekers, including Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers seeking to upskill or transition into the industry, are encouraged to contact ADTEC JTM Miri Campus at https://www.ilpmiri.gov.my/ for further information on intake requirements and application procedures, while awaiting the participation of other campuses. Through ELEVATE, Petros reaffirms its commitment to supporting workforce development in Sarawak and expanding access to structured technical training opportunities.

 

 

 

Snowdan: 30 % of village heads in Balai Ringin are women

BALAI RINGIN, March 5 2026: Balai Ringin State Legislative Member (SLM) Snowdan Lawan said that efforts to empower women's leadership in his constituency have  shown positive results, saying that about 30 percent of the Tuai Rumahs (villager elders) are held by women.

Caption: Balai Ringin SLM Snowdan Lawan handing over a packet of bubur lambuk at the partner programme 

"There are 232 villages in my constituency, 30 percent of which are led by female village heads, while the remaining 70 percent are men,” he said at the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) partner programme at Kampung Ensebang Jaya.

"It is one of my efforts to empower women in leadership roles in  Balai Ringin  constituency and I hope that the local community can continue to support their leadership," Snowdan, who is also the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, said.

He also stressed that Balai Ringin area needs to continue to be driven by its development in line with the existence of the Pan Borneo Highway which opens up new opportunities for economic growth and local development.

According to him, several major development projects are being planned and implemented for the well-being of the residents in the area.

"Soon, the new Balai Ringin market project worth RM55 million as previously announced will go through the tender process.

"We will also build a new block of the Balai Ringin Health Clinic worth RM1.5 million in addition to the Phase II Southern Region Water Supply Project worth RM260 million which is still ongoing," he explained.

On the partner programme with Ukas, he said it not only serves as a medium for delivering government policies and programmes, but also opens up a space for the people to understand the state's development agenda more clearly.

"Through a grassroots approach such as the partner programme, the local community not only has the opportunity to obtain accurate information on government policies and initiatives, but can also share views and community needs to ensure that the planned development truly benefits the people at the grassroots level," he said.

Also present were Ukas director Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, Ukas special administrative officer  Takun Sunggah, Islamic religious officer of the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) Serian Division Ustaz Madihi Jamali, Superintendent of Balai Ringin Sub-District Office Mohd Adam Muslim and Penghulu of Balai Ringin Lama Bumpol area and the head of Ensebang Jaya Village Jamilah Ahmad.