By Shikin Louis
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2: The Malaysian Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has allocated RM1.6 million to maintain, repair and upgrade childhood institutions in Sarawak this year.
Its Minister Dato Seri Nancy Shukri said the ministry strives to provide good infrastructure and facilities in all its institutions for the comfort of its residents.
“KPWKM through the Community Welfare Department (JKM) has channeled an allocation of RM2.86 million in 2023 and RM1.6 million in 2024 to maintain, repair and upgrade children’s institutions in Sarawak,” she said when presenting her ministerial winding-up speech for the Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) for 2021 and 2022 in the Dewan Rakyat broadcast live on YouTube today.
She was responding to Batang Sadong MP Rodiyah Sapiee who, during her debate session, had raised issues related to infrastructure and facilities in four children’s institutions in Sarawak.
At the same time, Nancy revealed that her ministry will continue to revise the assistance rate for the people with special needs (OKU).
As of now, the determination of income eligibility for the OKU Allowance Aid has been increased from RM1,200 to RM1,500 and below, starting 2021.
She added that the government has started channeling other assistance schemes under JKM with new rates starting in 2021, including for eligible OKU, namely Assistance for the Disabled Care/Chronic Care Patient (BPT) raised from RM350 to a maximum of RM500 according to the needs of the case; Assistance for Disabled Unable to Work (BTB) increased from RM250 to RM300; and Allowance for Disabled Employees (EPOKU) increased from RM400 to RM450.
Beginning this year, the government has also increased the allowance rate for OKU trainers participating in the Community-Based Rehabilitation (PDK) programme from RM150 to RM300 per month. — DayakDaily
