By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 4: Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry has registered 75.6 per cent or 21,283 out of the total 28,152 babies born to Sarawakian parents or Sarawakian mothers married to non-Sarawkians under the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS).
Its minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said a total of 30,151 births were recorded in Sarawak as of Oct 31, this year.
As such, Fatimah hoped for the parents who have not applied for the scheme to do so, as it would be useful for their children’s initial tertiary education or early career development.
The implementing agency of EFS is Bank Islam, where it offers an interest rate of 4.2 per cent per annum.
Meanwhile, Fatimah said Sarawakian mothers will be entitled to Special Assistance for Mothers (SAM) under the post-natal care incentive following an allocation of RM18 million starting Jan, 2020.
She said her ministry will organise workshops to smoothen its implementation.
“Those who are qualified will be Sarawakian mothers who give birth starting January 2020,” Fatimah told a press conference held at Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today.
She explained that for non-Sarawakian mothers married to Sarawakians men, her ministry would hold discussions and workshops to deliberate on the matter next month.
“The Welfare Department will help us to implement this scheme from our offices throughout the State, from divisional level right up to district level,” she said.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced during his Budget Speech 2020 that
RM18 mil has been allocated next year as an additional assistance to mothers for post-natal care to lighten their burden upon giving birth.
Under the scheme, each mother will receive RM450 effective from Jan 1, 2020 and it would be paid in three instalments for three consecutive months during their maternity period.
“We will not provide cash but instead, we will give vouchers for babies’ needs such as cloths and pampers,” she said, adding that her ministry will work out the details where these vouchers could be used. — DayakDaily
