Recently announced aid not ‘election candy’, says Premier amid global shocks

By Amanda L

KUCHING, Apr 19: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has dismissed claims that Sarawak’s latest assistance package was designed for political gain, saying the measures were instead a direct response to global economic disruptions.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Convention 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today, he said external geopolitical tensions had contributed to volatility in global fuel prices and broader cost-of-living pressures.

“We did not know there would be a war. These are global developments beyond us,” he said, stressing that such events were outside the State government’s control but had direct spillover effects on households.

In response to these conditions, Abang Johari said the assistance measures were introduced solely to cushion the impact on families and were not linked to any electoral considerations.

“No, I am not preparing for any election. I am thinking about the people’s basic needs,” he said.

He explained that the package included increased support for essential goods with monthly assistance raised from RM950 to RM1,100, covering basic necessities such as rice, milk and sugar.

To ensure timely impact, he said the aid would be distributed in phases, aligned with key household spending periods, including ahead of Gawai Dayak in May and the new school term in November.

Beyond direct subsidies, the Premier said the government had also introduced wider relief measures including a 25 per cent reduction in electricity charges, with Sarawak Energy Berhad implementing the cut while the State absorbs part of the cost.

He added that similar support had been extended to small traders across Sarawak, with rental reductions of up to 50 per cent at public market spaces to ease operational costs.

Abang Johari reiterated that all interventions were driven by economic necessity rather than political timing, stressing that the government’s priority remained household welfare amid global uncertainty. — DayakDaily

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