KUCHING: Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has revealed that there had been no baby boom in Sarawak despite speculations this would occur following the enforcement of lockdowns.
“There were only 33,964 births registered in the state last year compared to the 36,117 in 2019. As for this year, the figure is 14,393 as of July 31,” said the Sarawak Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Family and Childhood Development Minister.
“There is a decline of 8.2 per cent or 2,788 for the year 2020 compared to 2019. For the duration of January to July this year, the births registration statistics showed a drastic decline of 50.45 per cent or 13,267 compared to the same period in 2020.
“I still remember when the media asked me whether or not there would be a baby boom during the lockdowns, so the answer is no,” she told the media after a meeting with the Sarawak National Registration Department and National Population and Family Development Board Sarawak here on Monday (Aug 23).
Fatimah also expressed her concern over the decline in population, adding that there was a need to address this.
She noted that the low birth rate could lead to a high number of old people in Sarawak in the future.
“This is something that we need to look into, we need to get input from the younger generation, especially on what the factors affecting the decline in births are.”
When asked about viral posts on social media regarding pregnancy and pregnant women, Fatimah advised the public to verify facts with the relevant authorities or agencies.
“It is best not to forward or share these posts that are incorrect. It would cause unnecessary concern and those who post this is equally to blame.”
At the same time, she disclosed that the Sarawak government had approved RM26 million for the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EPS).
She said there were 26,478 applications in 2020, and 9,352 applications as of July this year.
Meanwhile, the post-natal care assistance Bantuan Ibu Bersalin (BIB) had 23,564 applications last year, and 13,600 as of July this year.
“The application for both EPS and BIB are easy. The BIB is geared towards ensuring that children will have savings in the future for their studies and so on.”
