By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, April 14: The Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) distributed donations to 100 monthly welfare assistance recipients today as part of its “Sejambak Kasih” programme in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri at Mydin Petra Jaya here.
According to Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, those who attended the event today received RM100 cash as well as a hamper worth RM80 each, while those who were unable to attend will have a contribution of RM100 credited into their respective accounts.
“In conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a total of 15,318 people, or 30.03 per cent of all aid recipients in Sarawak, will receive donations.
“This assistance can help improve the quality of life among underprivileged families,” she said during her speech at the event this afternoon.
On monthly welfare assistance, Fatimah stated that from January up till March 2022, JKMS has channelled RM61,048,620 to 51,003 monthly assistance recipients across Sarawak.
She added that the Kuching Divisional Social Welfare Office (PKMB Kuching) has channelled RM4,015,050 for 9,977 recipients for March 2022.
“From 2016 to 2021, a total of 412 PKMB Kuching clients were approved for the Launching Grant (Geran Pelancaran), which is a one-time payment, and 166 people, or 40 per cent of them, were successful with an income of more than RM1,000 to RM100,000 per month.
“For the year 2022, the target for PKMB Kuching is 55 new Wellbest entrepreneurs following the “Program Pembangunan Ekonomi (PE)” and as of the first quarter (Jan-March 2022), a total of 45 people have been approved a Launching Grant of RM5,000 (one-time payment) with a total expenditure of RM225,000.
“This PE based on economic functions has had a significant impact on Wellbest entrepreneurs and JKMS, where the programmes implemented have increased entrepreneurs’ income and economic well-being,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Fatimah stated that PKMB Kuching aims to hold a collaboration programme with at least one strategic partner in the operation of high-impact programmes once a month.
She mentioned she was aware that PKMB Kuching had collaborated with several agencies, including Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), Kuching Heng Hua Seng Ing Tong, Emart, Ecomall, and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, which made donations during the last Chinese New Year and provided cooperation in several programmes held recently by PKMB Kuching.
“In this regard, JKMS and Mydin Petra Jaya will continue to be the main strategic partner in future collaboration in various high impact programmes as well as involvement in volunteer work.
“I also encourage more corporate companies to contribute and get involved in collaborating with JKMS so that JKMS services can be delivered more effectively and in accordance with its vision and mission,” she said. — DayakDaily
