ENDOWMENT FUND SARAWAK
KUCHING: A total of 18,222 Sarawakian babies have registered for the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) as of Sept 28.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the number was equivalent to 83 percent of Sarawakian babies eligible for the aid.
“The state government has allocated a total of RM30mil for the implementation of EFS in 2020.
“Therefore, I hope the remaining babies who have yet to register will do so to ensure that they will not miss out on the benefits.”
Fatimah said this when giving an update on the state government’s initiatives while officiating the ministry’s new office here today.
She also said that 11,459 eligible mothers or 52 per cent had registered for Bantuan Ibu Bersalin (BIB) as of Sept 28.
“For this purpose, the government has approved an allocation of RM18mil, which will benefit about 40,000 mothers.”
Regarding the Special Annual Grant (GTK) for early childhood institutions, she said a sum of RM15,100,000 had been disbursed to 3,020 registered institutions as of Sept 30. This aid will benefit about 81,279 children.
On the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC), Fatimah said the ministry had received 186,127 applications as of Oct 2.
“Of these, 90,352 cards have been distributed to the eligible applicants.”
She also said the ministry had approved a total of 577 out of 832 applications for Death Compassionate Assistance (BIK) involving disbursements totalling RM1,731,000 as of Oct 2.
On the Special Aid for Kidney Patients, a total of 51 out of 77 applications had been approved involving allocations worth RM365,952 as of Sept 26.
“The state government has also approved the purchase of six haemodialysis machines to replace the old ones at Sarawak General Hospital.”
She also noted that the ministry would spend RM1.5mil this year to assist 25,813 housewives and female breadwinners listed under eKasih to register for the i-Suri programme from the Employees Provident Fund.
“With all these initiatives, I believe Sarawakians can attest to the commitment of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.”
Among those present were Assistant Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Assistant Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Rosey Yunus, the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Saadiah Abdul Samat, Sarawak Women and Family Department director Noriah Ahmad, former Kuching South City Council mayor Datuk James Chan and Socoe Sdn Bhd chief executive officer JW Sam.
