SIBU: The monthly financial aid for the underprivileged in Sarawak has been increased by between RM50 and RM100 this year.
“The assistance rate for senior citizen aid has also been raised from RM500 to RM600," state Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said on Friday (Jan 10).
"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. This revised rate took effect on Jan 1," she said at the Sejambak Kasih program for Sibu in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.
Fatimah said the aid not only lightens recipients' burdens but is also a form of moral support to encourage them.
She said that last year, the state Welfare Department distributed RM258,491,300 in monthly aid to 56,044 recipients across Sarawak.
They comprise: 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 (OKU) who are employed (RM18,390,150); 2,512 guardians of OKU (RM14,054,000); 10,920 non-working OKU (RM44 million); 24 foster children (RM60,750); and eight youths (RM3,200).
On the Sejambak Kasih programme for Chinese New Year, Fatimah said 8,135 monthly financial aid recipients statewide would receive RM100 and a hamper worth RM80 each.
“This is our signature programme which has been running for 20 years. We will continue with it to ensure disadvantaged groups do not feel excluded during festive seasons,” she said.
