Kuching: ADUN for Pending Violet Yong Wui Wui has urged the Sarawak Government to immediately reinstate an appeal mechanism for eligible but unsuccessful applicants of the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance Scheme (SKAS).
Yong questioned why the appeal channel available last year has been removed this year, despite the scheme being introduced to help Sarawakians cope with rising living costs.
“If the Sarawak Government is truly sincere in helping eligible Sarawakians, the implementation of SKAS must be fair, transparent and accessible,” she said in a press conference held today.
Yong cited the case of a Sarawakian woman, Mdm Kong, whose application was rejected this year, despite having previously received SKAS assistance.
“The woman is listed under the household category of the federal Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), where her husband is registered as the head of household while she is listed as the spouse,” she said.
According to Yong, the woman’s application was rejected this year because her husband is not a Sarawakian, as his identity card does not carry the “K” indicator.
“If she was recognised under the STR household category and previously qualified for SKAS, how could the Sarawak Government suddenly deny her eligibility?” she asked.
While acknowledging that the issue could be due to an administrative oversight, Yong stressed that the absence of an appeal process leaves eligible applicants with no avenue to rectify potential errors.
“If mistakes can happen, why is there no opportunity for appeal? Closing the door on those who may have been wrongly rejected makes the system appear rigid, unfriendly and uncompassionate,” she said.
Yong also highlighted complaints from SKAS recipients who are unable to access their aid through SPay Global due to facial recognition verification requirements.
She said the problem particularly affects elderly recipients, bedridden patients and persons with disabilities (OKU), many of whom are unable to pass the verification process because of illness or physical limitations.
“As a result, some recipients can see the assistance credited to their accounts but are unable to use it. This defeats the purpose of providing aid,” she said.
Yong urged the Sarawak Government to restore the appeal mechanism, setting up a dedicated helpline and service counter, providing alternative verification methods, allowing the assistance to be channelled directly into bank accounts, ensuring that the eligibility criteria are made known at least six months in advance, instead of only announcing during the disbursement process that eligibility follows the latest STR requirements and reviewing the overall implementation of the SKAS disbursement system.
“Public assistance schemes must be implemented with compassion, flexibility and accountability. When vulnerable Sarawakians are left unable to access aid they are entitled to, the government cannot simply remain silent and fail to resolve it.
“The Sarawak Government must not be seen as heartless by allowing deserving recipients to fall through the cracks. If SKAS is truly meant to help the people, then every eligible Sarawakian must be given a fair chance to receive the assistance they deserve,” she said.
Yong also said that she will write to the Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Sarawak, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, to raise these concerns and seek immediate action formally.
