KUCHING: Fifty-five Sarawakian babies around Kuching born from Jan 1 to 7 this year received the RM1,000 Sarawak Endowment Fund (EFS) during its launching ceremony yesterday.
They are the first batch of Sarawakian babies to receive the one-off incentive from the state government irrespective of ethnicity, religious belief and social status.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Child Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said 1,213 Sarawakian babies born from Jan 1 to Jan 15 (3pm) were registered with the state Registration Department of Sarawak.
“Kuching Division registered the highest number of births at 498, followed by Sibu (256), Miri (149), Bintulu (105), Sarikei (53), Sri Aman (34), Limbang (32), Mukah (29), Kapit (18), Serian (17), Betong (13) and Samarahan (9),” she said during the EFS launching and presentation ceremony.
Fatimah said a pair of twins were among the 55 Sarawakian babies who received the one-off incentive announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg when tabling the 2019 State Budget during the last State Legislative Assembly sitting.
The incentive can only be withdrawn upon attaining the age of 18.
“This contribution is a saving for the education and future goals of the child. It clearly shows that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is very concerned about the future of Sarawakian children,” she stressed.
Fatimah said welcoming new members to the family was a joy for parents.
“A child is a gift and God’s gift which is priceless. A child is the bridge of love in the family as well as in society.
“A Sarawakian child is the heir and human capital of the beloved Land of Hornbill,” she said.
Fatimah said to share this joy, the organising committee had also provided souvenirs to the mothers and babies such as baby Items, vouchers for two sessions with Mamacare practitioners and childcare guide books contributed by the Sarawak State Library.
“To qualify for the incentive, a Sarawakian child must be born to Malaysian parents in Sarawak, be a holder of MyKad ‘K’ status holder and registered with the Registration Department of Sarawak within a year after birth.
“In cases of anomalies, a special committee at the ministry level was established to consider all these applications,” she added.
