SIBU: The State Welfare Department had from January to April this year given out a total of RM67.3 million in monthly financial assistance to 56,096 recipients.
This was revealed by Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah at a Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri “Sejambak Kasih” programme in Sarikei yesterday.
“The number of recipients for this monthly financial assistance is expected to increase this year. In 2017 there were 57,047 recipients but as at April this year there were already 56,096 recipients.
“The increase in number of recipients is due to the effort of those who are concerned with the welfare of the needy by registering them with the department,” she said, adding that the financial aid had been distributed to the needy in both urban and rural areas of the state to lighten their burden.
“For Sarikei alone, the number of recipients as at April this year was 2,628 who received a total of RM3 million in financial aid.”
On the Endowment Fund initiative where each new born Sarawakian is given RM1,000 starting this year, Fatimah said from January 1 to April 25, a total of 5,070 out of 11,508 new born children had been registered for the programme.
Kuching has the highest number with 1,980 followed by Sibu (950), Miri (659), Bintulu (267), Sarikei (260), Sri Aman (223), Mukah (201), Limbang (178), Betong (118), Kapit (107), Serian (66) and 61 for Samarahan.
The money could only be withdrawn when the child reaches the age of 18.
Touching on the “Sejambat Kasih” programme, Fatimah said a total of 30,750 people or 54.81 per cent will receive it for Gawai Dayak while another 15,626 or 27.85 per cent will receive it for Hari Raya.
Under the programme RM100 will be deposited into each of the recipient bank account.
