RM133.5mil allocated for community-based rehabilitation organisations in Penang

NIBONG TEBAL: A total of RM133.5mil has been allocated by the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry for the Community-Based Rehabilitation Programme (PDK).

In a statement, the ministry said that as of April 2024, the government had disbursed the allocation to Community-Based Rehabilitation Organisations (PPDKs) nationwide, with RM8,430,313.80 allocated to PPDKs across Penang.

"This financial assistance ensures the smooth operation of daily PDK programmes and activities, including rehabilitation and development programmes with active involvement from families and the local community," it said.

During a visit to Nibong Tebal on Sunday (June 30), Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic) handed over financial assistance amounting to RM558,723.60 to Puteri Gunung PPDK. The funds cover allowances for disabled trainees, stipends for supervisors and staff, premises rent, and utilities.

She handed over the assistance after officiating the presentation ceremony of replica cheques, certificates, and wheelchairs to the ministry's target groups at Sungai Kechil Village Community Hall on Jalan Sungai Kechil.

The PDK programme is a strategy in community development for the rehabilitation, training, education, equal opportunity, and social integration of persons with disabilities (OKU).

"To date, there are 570 PPDKs nationwide, with 24 of them located in Penang," the statement said.

Earlier, Nancy also visited clients of the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) in Sungai Bakap and handed over approvals for financial aid under the Bedridden Patient Assistance (BPT) scheme.

She also joined Home Help Service (KBDR) volunteers in visiting a JKM client, an elderly single mother who cannot care for herself due to vision problems and memory loss.

Based on JKM records, Penang has 32 KBDR volunteers ready to assist elderly people in need.

The ministry, through JKM, is always committed to the development and empowerment of its target groups to ensure their well-being and explore their potential to contribute back to society.

Also present at the event were state social development, welfare, and non-Islamic affairs chairman Lim Siew Khim, JKM deputy director general (strategic) Rosmahwati Ishak, state JKM director Zakaria Taib, and senior officers from the ministry and agencies.