Abang Johari takes a stroll at Farley Kuching during the SKAS 2026 walkabout and live-run programme held in conjunction with the official opening of Farley Garden Kuching.
KUCHING (June 20): About 90,000 individuals who were not included in the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) database for the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) programme have been urged to submit appeals for review.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the appeal mechanism is in place to ensure that eligible recipients who were initially left out can still be considered.
“There are those who were left out of the LHDN list. We ask them to appeal, and from that process the outcome is an additional about 90,000.
“This means those who were missed, if their names are not there, please ask village chiefs and community leaders to assist. If your people are not listed, they may have been left out. If the situation is genuine, they may still be included,” he said at the Sesi Walkabout and Live-Run SKAS 2026 in conjunction with the official opening of Farley Garden Kuching here on Saturday.
Earlier, Abang Johari said SKAS currently benefits 874,878 recipients across Sarawak, helping households cope with the rising cost of living.
He said the recipients comprise 405,505 households, 127,266 senior citizens and 342,107 single individuals.
The Premier added that the state government had increased the allocation for the programme this year, with payments distributed in three phases, beginning in March, followed by a pre-Gawai disbursement and a third payment scheduled for November.
He said the timing of the assistance was aligned with key household financial needs, including school preparation periods.
“We schedule the payments according to when families need financial support, especially during school opening periods,” he said.
Abang Johari said the assistance is channelled through SPayGlobal, enabling direct transfers into recipients’ accounts.
He said the digital system has improved efficiency in delivery.
“Previously there were concerns about digital payments, but now the funds go directly into recipients’ accounts. It is more efficient and transparent,” he said.
He added that SKAS is designed as targeted assistance, with purchases restricted to a list of essential goods to ensure the aid is used as intended.
“This is targeted assistance. There is no leakage. The aid is used strictly for essential items such as rice and sugar,” he said.
The SKAS initiative forms part of the state government’s broader effort to redistribute increased state revenue to the people, with a total allocation of RM680 million this year.