By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Feb 16: The state government will continuously introduce for more benefits to look after the welfare of the low income group and those in the B40 threshold.
Political secretary to the Chief Minister, Tan Kai, said the state government is concerned about the welfare of Sarawakians especially those in the low income group.
“Starting this year, the Sarawak government provides special aid for kidney patients who are poor, for them to have financial resources to get treatment for instance, haemodialysis.
“Besides special aid for kidney patients, the state government has also announced various incentives such as the Kenyalang Gold Card for senior citizens and financial assistance of RM450 for new mothers for post-natal care.
“It is hoped that the financial assistance will help to reduce the financial burden faced by the people especially those who are poor and from the B40 group,” he said during the appreciation dinner for Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society at SJK Chung Hua No 3 here yesterday.
Tan was reprensenting Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He explained that the state government has decided to provide various welfare to the people after getting feedback from the public that the economic situation and businesses were getting bad in the past one year.
He urged the public to apply for the various incentives and financial assistance that were announced by the state government so that they can benefit from it.
On a different note, he commended the Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society for their contribution to the community.
He said the society has set up one of the biggest kidney dialysis centre in Kuching for kidney patients for their haemodialysis treatment.
Concurring with Tan, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen said the Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society has contributed tremendously to the society in terms of helping the people and organising charity events.
He observed that the society has organised and contributed vastly in charitable activities in the past years having established itself for 58 years.
Nonetheless, he noted that there is limited financial allocation from the federal government to provide welfare to the people.
The Stampin MP believed that most of the time, it depends on the generousity of the public and some generous donors or businessmen for their contribution to help those who are less fortunate.
He disclosed that last year, the federal government, through the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, has distributed RM183 million for single mothers, disabled and the hardcore poor citizens in Sarawak.
Chong explained that out of that total 20 per cent or RM37 million was provided by the state government while the balance of RM146 million was distributed by the federal government.
He pointed out that the total amount of RM183 million was channelled to the state government through the Ministry of Welfare, Community Well being, Women, Family and Childhood Development to be distributed to the people in Sarawak.
Despite the large amount for welfare to the people, Chong noted that the funds was insufficient to help those who are less fortunate and poor.
He believed society or organisation like the Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society will be able to promote and provide more charitable events to raise funds for the less fortunate in Sarawak.
Earlier on, dinner organising chairman Lim Teck Hee appealed to members of the society and business individuals, as well as the public to support them in their work especially in conducting charitable events.
He hoped that more funds can be raised to help those who are poor and less fortunate and enable them to live a better life. — DayakDaily
