KUCHING, Jan 6: The Sarawak government will continue to roll out the RM450 Maternity Incentive (BIB) for new Sarawakian mothers including those giving birth outside the state this year.
The Ministry of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development, in a circular dated Dec 30, 2020, emphasised that the incentive payment for BIB applications in 2020 which had been approved will be disbursed this year.
The incentive which was introduced at the end of 2019, will see the state government giving RM450 to each mother after they give birth starting Jan 1, 2020 with an allocation of RM18 million for the first year of its implementation.
The purpose of this initiative is to lighten the burden of new mothers in preparing for their infant’s needs and post-natal care during the confinement period.
New mothers, who must be Malaysian citizens with ‘K’ status on their MyKad or wife to a Sarawakian, may apply for the incentive upon 22 weeks of pregnancy up to three months after giving birth.
Mothers who had a miscarriage or had still births are also eligible for the one-off BIB incentive.
Among the documents required for the application include a copy of the applicant’s identity card, copy of husband’s or guardian’s identity card, a copy of marriage certificate if the applicant is non-Sarawakian, a copy of pregnant mother’s health records, a copy of account booklet or statement of account, and a copy of discharge summary or birth certificate.
The ministry encourages mothers to apply online via http://bit.do/permohonanbib or through the iSarawakCare app available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Alternatively, they may also apply manually by downloading the forms from http://bit.do/borangbib. Application forms together with supporting documents must be completed and submitted either to the Division or District Welfare Office, District Office, Sarawak National Registration branch offices or Ministry’s Early Childhood Development Division (for Kuching only).
For more information or enquiries, or to check the status of BIB applications, contact the secretariat via its iSarawakCare Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/isarawakcare and click on ‘Send Message’) or call 082-442050 during office hours or email bantuan.ibubersalin@gmail.com. — DayakDaily
