Kuching: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong Wui Wui has urged the Sarawak Government to immediately address what she described as a serious gap in the implementation of the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS), saying many eligible senior citizens are still unable to receive their assistance due to mandatory smartphone requirements.
Speaking during her debate on the State Budget 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today, Yong highlighted that numerous single senior citizens – despite being fully qualified – cannot obtain the RM400 SKAS aid simply because they do not own or cannot operate smartphones.
As a result, she said, these vulnerable elderly individuals are being excluded from benefits to which they are entitled.
“In April this year, the Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development announced that seniors without smartphones would be allowed to receive SKAS assistance directly into their bank accounts.
“But today, Welfare Department officers are still telling the public that a smartphone and an SPay account remain compulsory. Why is a policy announced with such conviction not implemented in practice? Why cakap tak serupa bikin?” she asked.
Yong argued that the requirement for smartphones places an unfair financial burden on low-income seniors.
She noted that many elderly individuals would be forced to purchase a smartphone and subscribe to a mobile plan. This unnecessary monthly expense defeats the very purpose of welfare support.
“They need help precisely because the cost of living is high; they should not be required to take on new expenses just to receive the aid they are entitled to.
“It is illogical to expect someone to subscribe to an RM30 monthly phone plan just to access a yearly RM400 SKAS, which will increase to RM500 next year,” she stressed.
She also raised concerns about digital illiteracy and privacy, noting that many elderly citizens living alone are unfamiliar with mobile applications and should not be expected to rely on others to manage their accounts or passwords.
Yong further questioned inconsistencies in welfare disbursement mechanisms.
She pointed out that the Ministry of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development had recently allowed other groups registered with the Sarawak Welfare Department, including single mothers, senior citizens, vulnerable groups, persons with disabilities, and the homeless, to receive their assistance directly through their bank accounts.
“As such, why can’t the same benefit and convenience be extended to elderly individuals who are single or without a spouse? Why this inconsistency? Why offer flexibility to some categories, yet deny it to another equally vulnerable group?” she asked.
Yong concluded by urging the State Government to revise the SKAS disbursement mechanism before the end of 2025, calling direct bank transfers for smartphone-less seniors the “simplest, fairest, and most inclusive solution.”
