OYA: The government recognises the noble contributions by various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in assisting the government to create a caring and loving society.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said every NGO has its own target group in providing certain assistance regardless of colour.
“The government recognises their contributions, which in turn helps to empower members of the NGO or the community in general towards achieving a better wellbeing of the people and the state,” she said when handing over the ministry’s grants to eight Mukah Division NGOs, as well as 52 minor rural project (MRP) grants to recipients in Dalat constituency at a community hall here on Friday (June 19).
A total of 28 village development and security committees (JKKK) in Dalat constituency received MRP grants totalling RM56,000 to enable them to carry out activities.
She also handed over 1,707 pieces of Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) for Mukah Division, and of the total, 951 cards were from 29 villages in Dalat constituency. The cards were received by representatives of their respective villages.
The Dalat assemblywoman also presented compassionate aid to next-of-kin of two KGC holders, as well as appointment letter to a new pemanca, penghulu Peter Lai Sakol, replacing the late Albert Kiroh Abau.
She also handed over cheques amounting to RM559,800 for six projects in phase 1 and 18 projects in phase 2 in Dalat constituency.
According to Fatimah, the KGC, launched by the chief minister on March 9 in Kuching in conjunction with World Womens’ Day, was an initiative by the Sarawak government and aimed to assist senior citizens in certain aspects of life.
She said it was projected that Sarawak will have 526,000 senior citizens in 2030, where 16 percent of the total population were senior citizens
Fatimah added that KGC holders stand to enjoy a discount, rebate or free fee for products or services offered by strategic partners either the government or commercial sectors.
She said among the services included health, transport, essential goods, reflexology, massage, spa, manicure/pedicure, theme park and recreation.
She revealed that according to statistics, 155,647 applications for KGC or 47 percent had been received as of June 18, and of the total, 5,197 (8.4 percent) of the applications were found to have problems in terms of incomplete information.
