Welfare Dept distributes over RM51 mln in aid to 21,604 recipients as of April
Gira (third right) hands over a hamper to a recipient, witnessed by Mohamad Razi (centre).
SIBU (May 8): The Sarawak Welfare Department has disbursed approximately RM51 million in assistance to 21,604 monthly aid recipients across the state as of April this year, said Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam.
The Deputy Minister for Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development said the government remains committed to channelling appropriate assistance to targeted groups and eligible individuals.
'This assistance is not only aimed at easing the burden of recipients but also serves as moral support, encouraging them to continue striving for a better life,' he said during the Sejambak Kasih Hari Gawai 2025 event at the Selangau Multipurpose Hall today.
Elaborating, he said there are currently eight aid schemes in Sarawak, namely Elderly Assistance, Children's Assistance, General Assistance, Allowance for Disabled Workers, Assistance for Non-Working Disabled Persons, Care Assistance for Bedridden Disabled Persons/Chronic Patients, Foster Child Assistance, and Youth and Young Women Assistance.
'We also have a 'top-up' system from the Sarawak government, which means the state does not rely entirely on federal government allocations but supplements the assistance provided,' he said.
Mohamad Razi urged parents and community members to be aware of the available government aid schemes, especially for children born with disabilities or those categorised as Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
'Please go for check-ups at hospitals and obtain specialist confirmation to classify them as PwD. Then apply for the PwD card through the Welfare Department or the nearest welfare office.
'Do not hide the fact if you have family members who qualify as a PwD. Similarly, those who become disabled later in life, for example due to an accident and are unable to work, should also obtain a doctor's certification and apply for the PwD card to qualify for assistance.'
On the Sejambak Kasih Hari Gawai 2025 programme, the deputy minister said the Welfare Department has been providing RM100 in cash contributions and RM80 worth of festive hampers to recipients for over 20 years.
He explained that the contribution aims to ease the financial burden of recipients as they prepare for festive celebrations.
'We want to ensure disadvantaged groups can also experience the festive atmosphere, especially with the upcoming Gawai celebration. Most importantly, this programme strengthens the bond between implementing agencies such as the Welfare Department and the aid recipients,' he said.
He also advised recipients to use the assistance wisely and take it as motivation to improve their quality of life.
'Let this assistance remind us of the importance of gratitude and mutual support. Life's challenges may be difficult, but every sincere effort we make will bear fruit.'
Also present at the event was Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang. razi sitam Sibu Welfare Department
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Borneo Post
Pan Borneo Highway construction from Beaufort to Sipitang progressing despite setbacks
Shahelmey presents rope to signify the handing over of the cows to a representative of the mosque/surau. PUTATAN (June 3): Construction of the Pan Borneo Highway from Beaufort to Sipitang is progressing, with Package 1 expected to be completed by 2026, according to Sabah Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. 'Most of the road is completed, with only a few bridges and sections pending. I hope the Public Works Department (PWD) will monitor the project closely to ensure its timely completion,' said Shahelmey. However, Package 2 is facing several technical challenges, including issues related to time extensions and arbitration, which have slowed progress. 'I've been informed that several decisions have been reached, and we expect the pace of work to improve. Completion is anticipated around 2027. Again, I urge PWD to monitor the contractor's performance closely,' he added. Shahelmey also addressed a recent incident involving a burst water pipe at one of the road sections under Package 2. The damage required excavation work, during which a motorcyclist fell into the hole at night. 'Although warning signboards and barriers were installed, the motorcyclist accidentally swerved and fell into the hole. PWD has met with the rider, obtained a police report, and determined the incident was due to user negligence,' he explained. He emphasized the importance of effective traffic management during construction, reminding PWD staff and contractors to regularly check and reinforce safety barriers. 'Sometimes barriers become loose due to weather or wind, and are not properly restored. This must not happen. They need to be secured consistently,' Shahelmey said. He also urged road users to adhere to posted signs and regulations, such as speed limits and diversions, to ensure everyone's safety. On the arbitration matter, Shahelmey revealed that the contractor for Package 2 had disputed aspects of the department's design. 'These are contract management issues currently being addressed,' he concluded.
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Minister: Sarawak gazettes 14 new heritage sites, receives historic artefacts
Abdul Karim (centre) going through his ministerial winding up speech text with Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 27): A total of 14 historical sites, buildings, monuments, and underwater heritage have been successfully gazetted by the Sarawak Museum Department (JMS) under the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance (SHO 2019) in February this year, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said these sites include the Rumah Panjang Melanau Kampong Sok in Matu; Rumah Sri Tanjung, Tanjung Lobang in Miri; Sacred Heart Church, Sungai Bawan in Kanowit; Makam Dato Permaisuri in Miri; Pusara Ali Wallace, Kampung Jaie in Sadong Jaya; and Shariff Skrang Cemetery, Kampung Igan in Matu. Other gazetted sites, buildings, monuments and underwater heritage are the Kuching City Mosque site; Beting Maro battle site; Batu Brooke coal mine, Gunung Ngeli in Simunjan; Batu Ritong in Pa' Lungan, Bario; Kampung Jangkar battle site in Lundu; Tuang Schist Semeba in Kuching; Folded Schist Demak in Kuching; and the Japanese Landing Craft, Brighton Beach in Miri, he said. Speaking at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting, Abdul Karim in his ministerial winding-up speech also said that JMS, as the guardian of Sarawak and Borneo shared heritage, had recently received five artefact donations, including two Lun Bawang 1960s sunhats. 'The sunhats belonged to Bill and Pam Lavery, and we received them from their son, John Lavery. The donor claimed that the authentic sunhats were obtained during the formation of Malaysia in 1963. 'Bill Lavery was posted to Limbang that same year as a teacher and later served as headmaster under the Colombo Plan of External Aid of the Canadian government to Sarawak. 'The Lavery family left Sarawak in 1965. The hats were later passed on to their son, John Lavery, who entrusted it to the Sarawak Museum for safekeeping,' he said. Another artefact, he said, was an old parang from Tebakang, Serian, which JMS had received from Mangu Bueng. 'The donor claimed that this parang has been with the Bueng's family for almost 100 years and it originally belonged to a group of headhunters who confronted Bueng and his wife in the early 1900s. 'In the ensuing fight, Bueng fought bravely and took one of their parangs. He brought it back to Kampung Tebakang Bidayuh, where it became a treasured family heirloom,' he said, adding that the parang remained with the Bueng's family, passed down through generations. He added that JMS also received two unglazed ceramic vases from Santubong from donor Mohd Rizal Bujang who claimed that the pottery was discovered in the 1970s by his late father Bujang Abdullah together with the late Ibni Zen and the late Othman Zen while fishing off the coast of Santubong. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah historical sites lead Sarawak Museum Department
Borneo Post
16-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Upgrades coming for Subis senior activity centre, says S'wak deputy minister
Rosey (seated, centre) and recipients pose for a group photo after MRP cheque handover. MIRI (May 17): Senior citizens in Subis will soon enjoy improved facilities for their activities following approved plans to upgrade the existing senior citizen activity centre (Pawe), said Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Rosey Yunus. The first approved project, she revealed, involves constructing a covered shed to connect the Pawe Building and the Community-based Rehabilitation Centre (PDK). 'There is an empty area between the two buildings. So, the plan is to build an open hall at a cost of RM200,000. It would be a good place for both Pawe and PDK to hold activities,' said Rosey after handing over Minor Rural Project (MRP) grants to eight recipients at Pawe building on Wednesday. Another approved plan, she added, is to upgrade the existing Pawe building, including floor repairs and improvements to the safety fencing. She emphasised the importance of these upgrades, noting that the Pawe is located in a remote area, far from the town centre. Therefore, the safety and comfort of senior citizens are given top priority to ensure they can carry out their activities in a conducive environment. 'These infrastructure improvements are in line with the government's inclusive approach to encourage active participation among senior citizens in the community, and to ensure they age healthily and with dignity. 'We want our senior citizens to stay active and healthy ― not just sit at home. That is why I would like to urge those aged 60 and above to register as Pawe members and make full use of the facilities provided,' she said. The Bekenu assemblywoman added that the construction project will be implemented by the Public Works Department (JKR), and is expected to be completed within the year after the appointment of contractors is finalised. The total amount of grants disbursed at the simple handover ceremony was RM75,838.00. The recipients were Special Development Committee for Zone Saeh (RM8,000); JKKK Kampung Bulau (RM5,000); Batu Niah Che Yan Khor Moral Uplifting Society (RM3,838); SK Beliau Isa Parents Teachers Association (RM10,000); SK Bekenu Parents Teachers Association (RM10,000); BBP Lutong's Musolla Al-Azhar (RM15,000); Pawe Subis (RM4,000); and Jawatankuasa Perhubungan Komuniti Subis (RM20,000). Pawe Rosey Yunus Senior Citizen Activity Centre Subis upgrades
