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Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
SUPP Bawang Assan committed to supporting community through frequent mobile services
Lau (right) provides an explanation to an elderly man during the mobile service. SIBU (June 1): The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan branch aims to enhance the frequency of its mobile services to better connect with and support the community. Its chairman Kevin Lau said that aside from addressing public concerns and feedback regarding council matters, road conditions or drainage issues, the mobile service also helps with applications for the Kenyalang Gold Card and Senior Citizen Health Benefits. 'I think every time when we offer mobile services, we always obtain quite good responses from those who seek out these services. So, we will try to do it as frequently as possible as part of our service to the people,' he told The Borneo Post when met during the mobile service at a coffee shop here yesterday. He added that as the Sarawak government has been implementing various forms of assistance, they will also explore ways to enhance support for this application. 'The key point we want to emphasise is that it is essential for everyone to register for Sarawak ID and S Pay Global, as it is very likely that all future assistance will be channelled through these applications.' Lau mentioned yesterday's mobile service was very meaningful, as it coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival. 'Today (May 31), we will be distributing about 100 dumplings to the public as a gesture of our well wishes to them. 'I think what is even more important is to commemorate the deep meaning of this celebration. The Dragon Boat Festival has always been about promoting unity,' he said, adding that the Gawai Dayak celebration was a similar occasion. 'We want to spread this message especially in our society. We are delighted to have a harmonious society in Sarawak, where people of all ethnicities interact and mingle well. 'We hold mutual respect and always practice tolerance, nurturing a closer-knit community with a more unified stance, which has become a part of our Sarawak culture,' he said. bawang assan Kevin Lau mobile services SUPP
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
RM464.5 mln disbursed to 758,483 SKAS recipients through S Pay Global, says Premier
he said the initiative has significantly impacted the daily lives of Sarawakians. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 28): A total of RM464.5 million has been disbursed to 758,483 recipients under the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) initiative through S Pay Global, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. In his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today, he said the initiative has significantly impacted the daily lives of Sarawakians. 'This initiative not only helps reduce the cost of living, but also stimulates household spending and supports community economic growth, particularly for small traders and retail operators,' he said. He noted that SKAS, launched under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government early this year, goes beyond physical infrastructure development by focusing on the well-being of the people across all socio-economic aspects. 'The Sarawak government remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable development. Our principle is clear – no one should be left behind in the wave of progress.' Abang Johari added that SKAS has also accelerated digital adoption at the grassroots level, with village committees, youth associations and women's bureaus actively using digital platforms to manage activities, disseminate information and promote local products online. 'Previously focused mainly in urban areas, the use of S Pay Global has now expanded into rural areas, increasing the efficiency and visibility of local organisations and encouraging participation in the digital economy,' he said. He said the initiative contributed towards forming a digitally literate society capable of applying technology and adapting to the evolving digital landscape. On the education front, Abang Johari reiterated the state government's focus on human capital development, in line with Sarawak's transition towards a new economy. He said strategic discussions were held with the University of Cambridge during the state government's recent working visit to the United Kingdom to prepare Sarawakian talents for future challenges. 'As we build the foundations of the new economy, we must ensure our people are equipped with the right education and skills to be active participants, not just beneficiaries, of this economic transformation,' he said. He added that the state government's commitment includes free tertiary education starting in 2026 for deserving students, as well as for Sarawakians under 40 who wish to resume full-time studies. 'This is not just a policy. It is a promise to our industries that Sarawak will have a talented, skilled and future-ready workforce. And most importantly, a promise to ourselves that we will build a Sarawak where talent, not wealth, determines success,' he said.
Borneo Post
21-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Deputy Premier: 85 pct of SKAS recipients receive aid via S Pay Global
On the efforts to include eligible individuals who were left out of the original name list, Uggah said the government had allowed them to submit appeals within a specified period. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 21): A total of 758,483 out of the 886,288 eligible recipients for the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) have received assistance via the S Pay Global e-wallet, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. He stated that as of May 13, around 85 per cent of eligible Sarawakians have received the assistance, which covers three categories: households, singles, and senior citizens. 'Among the recipients, 94 per cent or 387,260 from the household category have received the assistance, followed by 80 per cent or 287,0458 from the single category, and 74 per cent or 114,464 from the senior citizen category,' he said. He was responding to Royston Valentine (GPS-Tellian), who raised questions about the number of SKAS recipients to date, by category and the measures in place for those without access to smartphones or the application. On the efforts to include eligible individuals who were left out of the original name list, Uggah said the government had allowed them to submit appeals within a specified period. 'We opened an appeal period from Feb 1 to March 31, 2025. 'Once their names are verified and included in the list, the assistance will be disbursed to them through the e-wallet.' He added that an additional allocation of RM100.7 million has been requested to ensure that all eligible individuals who were previously excluded will receive the assistance they are entitled to. To ensure that assistance is fully disbursed to SKAS recipients, Uggah also said the state government will continue to assist them in activating their respective S Pay Global applications. 'For any technical support related to S Pay Global, users may contact S Pay Global Customer Service via email at [email protected] or by calling 082-224599. 'They may also seek assistance at Sarawak Service Centres, District Offices, and ADUN Service Centres in their respective areas.' douglas uggah embas DUN s pay global SKAS
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SMA targets completion of 4,677 telco towers by year-end to boost statewide digital connectivity
(Front row, from third left) Dennis, Anyi, Tiong, Penguang, Gerawat and others in a photocall with participants during the townhall session. MIRI (May 8): The Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) is targeting the completion of 4,677 telecommunication towers across the state by the end of this year, as part of its digital infrastructure development under the State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication. Emphasising that internet access is now a basic necessity just like water and electricity, SMA general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong said this initiative aligns with the Sarawak government's Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). 'We aim to build around 7,000 towers to provide coverage for every community in Sarawak. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of various agencies, we have already completed 4,349 towers (to date),' he said. An additional 328 towers are scheduled for completion in 2025, with the remaining towers to be rolled out in subsequent years, Tiong added. He was speaking at the second Sarawak Telecommunication and Multimedia Development Townhall Session for the Miri Division 2025, which was attended by elected representatives, community and village chiefs, councillors, and other stakeholders. The townhall served to update participants on current and upcoming developments in Sarawak's telecommunication and digital economy agenda. The event featured presentations from SMA, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), and the Malaysian Nuclear Agency. Miri Division has achieved 89.2 per cent internet coverage, reflecting the positive impact of the infrastructure rollout. Beyond telecommunications, SMA also spearheads broader digital transformation efforts, in accordance with the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Ordinance 2017, Tiong noted. These include strategic initiatives and stakeholder collaborations to drive inclusive, sustainable growth and prepare Sarawak for the digital future. Among the key initiatives is S Pay Global, the state government's own e-wallet platform managed by SMA which has recorded 1.56 million users, over 94,000 participating merchants, and RM5.1 billion in transaction volume, he said. He said S Pay Global has enabled more Sarawakians and businesses to embrace cashless transactions and participate in the digital economy. SMA is also prioritising cybersecurity and public awareness to safeguard the state's digital landscape, he added. However, telecommunication infrastructure vandalism remains a concern. Such acts not only disrupt government services but also impact those who depend on connectivity for communication, education, and business, Tiong noted. ' We are working with all agencies under the State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication to address this issue. But we also need your help as the eyes and ears on the ground. We count on you to protect our shared infrastructure and to report any damage or suspicious activity immediately,' he said. Among those present during the townhall session were State Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang, State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performance Art Datuk Sebastian Ting, State Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, Baram MP Datuk Anyi Ngau, and Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau. Anderson Tiong SMA telco towers
Borneo Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Activist urges clarity on eligibility for RM1,200 annual BKK for Sarawakian students
Voon also appeals to the state government to ensure that future financial assistance schemes are inclusive of the M40 group, which she said was frequently overlooked in aid distribution. KUCHING (May 8): The Sarawak government should clarify whether household income will affect the eligibility for the state's Special Financial Assistance (BKK), said social activist Voon Shiak Ni. She commended the initiative as a 'people-friendly' measure aimed at supporting all Sarawakian students, whether they are studying at public or private institutions, where under BKK, eligible students can receive RM1,200 annually until the completion of their degree. 'However, some parents have raised concerns after noticing a section in the application form requiring a declaration of household income, and this has led to uncertainty over whether or not income levels may influence the approval of applications. 'We would like to seek clarification if all university students with Sarawakian status are eligible for this financial benefit under the scheme, regardless of the household income of the parents,' she said in a statement. Voon also noted that Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee previously stated the BKK scheme is expected to benefit around 60,000 Sarawakian students and to qualify, applicants must also have an active S Pay Global account. She also appealed to the state government to ensure that future financial assistance schemes are inclusive of the middle-income group (M40), which she said was frequently overlooked in aid distribution. 'The M40 group also faces increasing financial pressure amid rising cost of living, and is not spared from the hardships of tightening their purse strings. They too deserve to be considered in welfare programmes,' she said. She also expressed her gratitude for the government's efforts in improving the people's standard of living, and reiterated her hopes that the BKK scheme would be implemented fairly and inclusively. BKK education aid lead Voon Shiak Ni
