KUCHING: The government is urging the public to stay vigilant and not fall victim to scams involving fake welfare homes that demand payment.
Amid a spike in such cases being reported, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry stresses that government welfare homes do not charge fees.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said that while there are eligibility requirements for individuals seeking shelter or admission to welfare institutions, payment is not among them.
"Only yesterday (Feb 7), somebody asked me about the welfare homes. There’s a big advertisement about it because they said that you’re required to pay certain fees (to be accepted to the home),” she said in her speech at the official launch of The Sarawak Indian Woman Association Website, here, on Sunday (Feb 8).
Sharing her personal experience on such matters, Nancy revealed that she had recently been approached about an advertisement claiming that individuals must pay fees to access welfare homes.
As a minister, Nancy said she was fortunate to be able to verify such claims by referring to and consulting with other ministries and fellow ministers.
The Santubong MP highlighted the need for the matter to be seriously investigated.
She advised the public to verify information through official government channels and to report any suspicious advertisements to the authorities. — Bernama
