By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Nov 20: The 2024 Sarawak Budget has allocated a total of RM99,400,000 to continue targeted ‘cradle-to-grave’ assistance and services.
“My administration is committed to continuing the social inclusivity agenda by providing targeted ‘cradle-to-grave’ assistances and services—from the needs of children, our future human capital, to the elderly, the vulnerable, and other disadvantaged groups,” Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said when presenting the Supply (2024) Bill, 2023, also known as Sarawak Budget 2024, during the Second Meeting for the Second Term of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN), at the DUN complex here today.
The initiatives include the One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) Sarawak programme with an allocation of RM3 million to continue the programme at OSEIC Metrocity and Kompleks Kebajikan Dalat, and to establish OSEIC Miri.
OSEIC emphasises high quality early intervention services focusing on special needs children.
The Early Childhood Institution Fee Subsidy of RM2.5 million will also be provided next year to ease the burden of parents in paying the said fees, and is estimated to benefit 2,500 children.
The Post-Natal Care Assistance (Bantuan Ibu Bersalin or BIB) with a sum of RM16 million will be made available in 2024 and will benefit about 36,000 mothers. The scheme provides RM450 to each mother who gives birth to help them with their nutritional and personal care needs during confinement.
Meanwhile, Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) with an allocation of RM15 million which will be made available in 2024 will benefit 15,000 children.
Other allocations comprise Enhancing Early Childhood Education (RM20 million) to cover the operating costs of SeDidik early childhood institutions comprising 100 tadika and taska throughout the State; Geran Tahunan Khas (GTK) Institusi Pendidikan Awal Kanak-Kanak (IPAKK), with an allocation of RM14 million for 3,000 early childhood institutions, which will benefit more than 80,000 children in Sarawak; and Death Compassionate Assistance for Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) Holders (RM15 million) to help ease the burden of the family to bear the cost of a funeral.
The Haemodialysis Assistance for Kidney Patients (RM4.7 million) is estimated to assist 260 patients to undergo treatment while the i-SURI Voluntary Incentive (RM4.2 million) will assist eligible housewives or women who are heads of households in Sarawak to contribute to the EPF Voluntary Contribution scheme.
“On top of that, integrated social intervention programmes and community support will continue to be implemented by the government to provide access to temporary shelter for homeless and displaced persons,” Abang Johari added.
The allocation includes RM500,000 for setting up a temporary shelter for a low-income recovery community in Kuching; RM500,000 to continue the Homeless Transit Centres; RM2 million to set up the Special Needs Community Centre (SNCC); and RM2 million to set up Community Social Support Centres (CSSCs) in Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu, Lawas and Mukah. — DayakDaily
