PASIR GUDANG: The Social Welfare Department (JKM) is urged to be more proactive in searching out people in need, says Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim.
The department should not act only when there are cases reported, but should be on the ground on a daily basis and be close to the people.
"JKM should not be like the Fire and Rescue Department, where they only come out when there are cases reported. They should be out of their office and collecting data on B40 families.
"The aftermath of the pandemic has created more B40 families, but somehow we do not have the data on this, so this could be listed as one of their main tasks," he said when met by reporters at Taman Saujana, Plentong, here, on Saturday (Nov 26).
Hassan added that his office, the Pasir Gudang Welfare Bureau, was willing to cooperate with the department on providing details of B40 families in the area.
"We have been gathering our own data for the past four years, but it is not complete.
"So, if we can collaborate with JKM, we can create a more holistic database and solutions to help these families in the long run, rather than just handing out one-time financial assistance," he explained.
The Pasir Gudang Welfare Bureau has been providing aid in the form of SME’s equipment and classes to those in need so that they can utilise or learn a skill that can help them generate income.
We recently organised a baking class for single mothers in the hopes that once they have this skill, they will be able to use it to create and sell their own product, eliminating the need for financial assistance.
"However, the MP’s office has a very limited amount of resources, and we depend entirely on the allocation given by the Federal Government," he said, adding that this is why close cooperation with the government agency was important.
Hassan also urged the new government to look into the cases of the urban poor, particularly those who lived in cities.
"It would be pointless to hold the election and win it if the people who voted for us did not receive the assistance they desired; I would be ashamed," he added.
