Kuching: Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, persons with disabilities and individuals without smartphones may be unable to receive the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) 2026 assistance due to digital barriers, prompting the DAPSY Sarawak Secretary, George Lam, to urge the Sarawak government to introduce bank transfer options to ensure the aid reaches those who need it most.
Lam said many recipients currently depend on the SPay Global application to receive the assistance, but not everyone can access or use digital platforms.
“Not everyone can purchase or use a smartphone. Many bedridden or elderly individuals are also unable to pass facial recognition verification due to changes in their appearance, which prevents them from using the SPay application,” Lam said.
He warned that such limitations may result in vulnerable groups being excluded from receiving the assistance altogether.
Lam raised the issue after a man, identified as Mr Lim, approached him for help, having discovered that he had not received the SKAS aid despite qualifying for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) programme.
According to Lam, system checks showed that Mr. Lim’s 2026 STR application had already been approved, and the first phase of the payment had been credited into his bank account, indicating that he should also qualify for SKAS.
Lam said the case may not be isolated, as many eligible individuals across Sarawak appear to be missing from the SKAS beneficiary list and are unable to receive the aid through the digital platform.
He also urged the Sarawak government to continuously update the beneficiary list with the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN), as STR applications are now open throughout the year and approvals may be granted in different phases.
“To ensure that no eligible recipients are left out, the Sarawak government should obtain updated beneficiary lists from LHDN for every phase and distribute SKAS accordingly,” he said.
Lam stressed that introducing bank transfers as an alternative distribution channel would ensure that the assistance reaches vulnerable groups who may otherwise be excluded due to technological limitations.
