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Fatimah: Register for Endowment Fund Sarawak 2020

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Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah (seated centre) with Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus (seated second left), Ministry's Permanent Secretary Dr. Sa'adiah Abdul Samat (seated second right), Head of Childhood Development Unit Salina Bujang (seated left), Bank Islam's Regional Deposits Business Manager Sarawak Kameri Edi (seated right) and other related agencies in the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) having a photograph session after the meeting. Photo: Ramidi Subari

KUCHING: A total of 1,472 babies born in January have been registered for Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) 2020.

The number is equivalent to 51.27 per cent of a total of 2,871 babies born in Sarawak in the first month of this year.

From the number of EFS registration, 983 are from Kuching, 34 from Serian, 67 from Samarahan, 65 from Sri Aman, 60 from Betong, 148 from Sarikei, 36 from Kapit, 348 from Sibu, 204 from Bintulu, 309 from Miri, 85 from Limbang and 58 from Mukah.

This was revealed by Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah at a press conference at Baitulmakmur building here, yesterday.

She further said that this year, the state government had approved RM30mil as additional allocation to the remaining RM13,269,000 from the implementation of EFS 2019, which had been brought forward this year.

Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah (seated centre) with Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus (seated second left), Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr. Sa’adiah Abdul Samat (seated second right),  Head of Childhood Development Unit Salina Bujang (seated left), Bank Islam’s Regional Deposits Business Manager Sarawak Kameri Edi (seated right) and other related agencies in the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) having a photograph session after the meeting. Photo: Ramidi Subari

“With the total allocation of RM43,269,000, EFS continues on this year and we want parents who have not registered their babies to do so,” she stressed.

Prior to the press conference, Fatimah attended the EFS Committee Meeting No. 1/2020, which involved various agencies, including Sarawak Attorney-General’s Chambers, Sarawak Treasury, National Registration Department (NRD), Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and Sarawak Health Department.

The meeting discussed on EFS 2019’s feedback and concerns, room for improvement for the implementation of EFS 2020 as well as anomalies issues for consideration to be solved.

“There are 170 anomalies in the implementation of EFS where 110 cases were of underage parents thus from the bank’s perspective, they are not eligible to become a trustee in trust account.

“Meanwhile, 30 anomalies came from parents with bankruptcy, blacklist or mule account issues, followed by single parents who are not citizen (seven), jointly apply by not legal guardians (22) and one case involving deceased applicant.

“In the event where the applicant has passed away before reaching the age of 18, Bank Islam can withdraw the money upon receiving the applicant’s death certificate.

“Whereas if the legal guardian dies, the applicant needs to register a new legal guardian and the latter must be endorsed by the EFS committee,” she elaborated.

She also said that if the baby was born outside of Sarawak, he or she must register the birth at the State NRD within one year.

She further reminded that the EFS application forms must be returned to the State NRD and not directly to Bank Islam because NRD would determinate whether the applicant was Sarawakian or not.

Fatimah added that the EFS applicants would be receiving certificates as proof of EFS registration following concerns voiced out by parents. The certificates can be collected at the nearest Bank Islam branch.

EFS is an initiative by the state government where every Sarawakian newborn is entitled to RM1,000 which is credited into his/her bank account and can only be withdrawn at the age of 18.

The implementing agency of EFS is Bank Islam where it offers an interest rate of 4.2 per cent per annum.

Statistic for EFS 2020 as of Jan 31 (JANUARY 2020)

NO. DISTRICT TOTAL NUMBER OF BIRTH NUMBER OF EFS REGISTRATION PERCENTAGE (%)
1. Kuching 1,156 983 85.03
2. Serian 39 34 87.18
3. Samarahan 16 67 418.75
4. Sri Aman 74 65 87.84
5. Betong 26 60 230.77
6. Sarikei 173 148 85.55
7. Kapit 40 36 90.00
8. Sibu 459 348 75.82
9. Bintulu 343 204 59.48
10. Miri 421 309 73.40
11. Limbang 84 85 101.19
12. Mukah 40 58 145.00
TOTAL 2,871 1,472 51.27

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