SIBU: The monthly financial assistance for the underprivileged in Sarawak has been raised by RM50, bringing the total to RM100 this year, says Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development stated that the revised rate takes effect from Jan 1, 2025.
“For your information, the assistance rate for Senior Citizen Aid has been raised from RM500 to RM600. Meanwhile, Child Assistance has increased from RM200 to RM250 per child for those aged six and below.
“For children aged seven to 18 years, the amount has risen from RM150 to RM200 per child,” she said at the Sejambak Kasih programme held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration here on Friday (Jan 10).
The Dalat assemblywoman mentioned that the financial aid not only lightens the recipients’ burdens but also provides moral support to help them improve their lives.
“In 2024, the State Welfare Department distributed RM258,491,300 in monthly aid to 56,044 recipients across Sarawak.”
The breakdown of recipients includes 21,192 senior citizens (RM123,646,000), 7,085 children (RM26,274,050), 10,779 general aid recipients (RM28,146,650), 3,524 persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are employed (RM18,390,150), 2,512 guardians of PWDs (RM14,054,000), 10,920 non-working PWDs (RM44 million), 24 foster children (RM60,750) and eight youths (RM3,200).
Meanwhile, during the programme, a total of 8,135 monthly financial aid recipients statewide received RM100 and a hamper worth RM80 each.
“This is our signature programme, which has been running for 20 years. We will continue it to ensure disadvantaged groups do not feel excluded during festive seasons,” Fatimah added.
