Social Welfare Dept developing new online system to replace 15-year-old eBantuan
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (second right) presenting a basic necessities kit to a recipient after launching the implementation of the eBantuan system in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: The Social Welfare Department is developing a new online system to manage welfare assistance more efficiently, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the Welfare Assistance Management System (SPBK) 2.0 would replace the existing eBantuan system by the end of 2026.
"The current system has been in use for over 15 years and is now facing technological constraints.
"SPBK 2.0 is a high-impact solution in line with the government's digital initiatives," she said when launching the implementation of eBantuan in Sarawak here on Friday (June 13).
The eBantuan system was introduced in 2007 but only expanded to Sarawak last year, as the state had its own welfare management system.
Nancy said the integration of the federal and state systems under eBantuan would improve efficiency and eliminate abuse.
"This is a very tight and efficient system, with no room for abuse," she said.
From January to May this year, 55,457 recipients in Sarawak received assistance amounting to RM123.78mil under eBantuan.
Nancy also said SPBK 2.0 would be fully online, utilising a secure digital platform with the latest technologies including business intelligence, automatic notifications and cloud computing.
It will also be integrated with national systems such as the Central Database Hub (Padu) and National Poverty Data Bank System (eKasih) to speed up welfare verification and distribution based on accurate data.
"This improvement aligns with the whole-of-government approach to deliver integrated, fast and responsive services to the people," Nancy said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Job seekers explore career options at fair
Gold sponsor: Wong presenting a certificate of recognition to Ahmad Firdaus at Setia SPICE Convention Centre. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: A wide range of career opportunities are being offered at the ongoing myStarJob Fair 2025 at Setia SPICE Convention Centre. The two-day event, which ends today, has drawn job seekers from across the region eager to explore employment prospects and personal growth opportunities. Organised by Star Media Group, the fair features almost 20 companies and agencies from various industries and sectors. Apart from offering job openings across different levels and positions, there are also on-the-spot interviews, career talks and personal development sessions aimed at helping visitors boost their career potential. Among the participating exhibitors is Prudential BSN Takaful Bhd, whose recruitment head Ahmad Firdaus Ab Halim reporting strong interest from job seekers. 'We are looking for takaful consultants and offering a support programme dubbed the Elite Development Programme (EDP). 'Designed to develop and groom young emerging talents to succeed as wealth planners and future leaders regardless of background, it is open to those aged between 20 and 50. 'New graduates with diploma qualifications and above are eligible to apply, and they can benefit from between RM2,000 and RM5,000 in monthly financing. 'There are also additional term and performance rewards of up to RM15,000, respectively,' he said. Within the first two hours of opening yesterday, the Prudential BSN booth received more than 200 potential leads. As a Gold Sponsor of the event, Prudential BSN was presented with a certificate of recognition by Star Media Group senior manager (event & exhibition) Elaine Wong. Financial services provider Manulife Malaysia was also acknowledged as the event's Bronze Sponsor with the certificate received on behalf of the company by its recruitment director (Northern region) Lau Wai Kin. Visitors, who arrived in droves to look for job prospects and consultations, were not left out from gaining from the session there. Universiti Malaya fresh graduate Nur Aisyah Zulkifli, 24, who recently completed her studies in Human Resource Management, said she is hoping for an advantage into the workforce. 'The job market is very competitive, so I came to the fair to explore openings and meet recruiters directly. I'm also hoping to find out more about companies I might not have considered before. 'To my surprise, it was eye-opening as some companies were actively conducting on-the-spot interviews, which was great. 'I collected some brochures and managed to speak with human resource reps who gave practical advice on curriculum vitae improvement and interview preparations,' she said. Technician Alvin Loke, 29, who is seeking a career switch, managed to explore new sectors. 'I've been working in tech support for five years but looking to transition into data analytics or cybersecurity. 'The job fair has provided me a chance to network with companies directly and explore new sectors that align with my current skill set. 'The opportunity to talk to employers face-to-face makes a big difference compared to online applications,' he said, adding that career progression, upskilling opportunities and work-life balance were his top priorities. Admission to the job fair from 11am to 7pm is free.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
The pursuit of happiness, not profit
Simple and tasty: Lim has maintained the same recipe over the years – noodles, chicken slices, egg, tofu, bean sprouts and fresh lettuce. — KT GOH/The Star GEORGE TOWN: As someone who has been selling mee jawa for the past 50 years, Lim Lean Hoe has a trick of the trade. 'Cook the mee with a sincere heart,' he said. And that explains why he is still serving mee jawa at just RM2.50 a plate despite the surging cost of ingredients. The portion remains the same and so are the ingredients. 'I don't have the heart to make it pricey,' said Lim, 70. He recalled the early days in the 1970s when he started his trade. 'It was 80sen those days before I increased it to RM1 per plate. And I have kept it at RM2.50 since.' Lim said he wanted his customers to have an affordable meal. 'Even though the cost of ingredients, like noodles and other items have gone up, I can still make a profit. It's just that it is a smaller profit now,' he said. The grandfather of five said the money is enough for him and his wife. However, he conceded that he had stopped putting prawns in the noodle dish for the past 10 years. 'I decided to stop doing it because prawns are just too expensive,' he said. Lim's mee jawa is a simple meal with chicken slices, hard-boiled egg, tofu, bean sprouts and a sprinkle of fresh lettuce. He said he has maintained the same recipe that he learned from his uncle. Lim, who started his business at Penang Road, now operates from a stall located in a restaurant in Air Itam. It is open every day from 7am until 1.30pm. He only closes during the Chinese New Year celebrations. The restaurant is a popular breakfast spot in the high-density working-class area. 'I feel happy every time I see people coming here for a plate of my mee jawa,' he said. And his customers are delighted, too. 'The portion has always been consistent. One of the best in town,' said pensioner Simon Khor, 65. Khor, who is a regular at Lim's stall, said the noodles are not only affordable but also tasty. He said Lim will not even charge extra when customers asked for more noodles. 'He always says it's more important that people leave full and happy than to make extra profit,' he added. Another regular, Lee Hean Seng, 57, said he has been eating Lim's mee jawa once a week for the past 15 years. 'The price is ideal for people like us who do not earn a lot. And the portion is big, too,' said the security guard. 'It's cheap and good,' he added.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
SSB Sibu appeals for public support to cover monthly operational cost
SSB Sibu Branch in urgent need of funds to support registered beneficiaries and cover operational costs of the care centre. SIBU (June 13): The Sarawak Society for the Blind (SSB) Sibu Branch is appealing for continued public support as it faces a monthly operational need of approximately RM13,000. The branch's vice-chairperson Datin Sri Judy Lau said the funds are essential to cover living allowances for its registered blind members and maintain the daily operations of its care centre. According to her, each registered blind individual currently receives a monthly living allowance of RM100 to help cover basic daily necessities. 'At present, there are about 80 registered recipients from the central region of Sarawak. At one point, the number had exceeded 100 individuals,' she told a press conference following a management meeting with the association on Thursday. The SSB care centre, which is operated by the branch, currently employs three full-time staff and houses one full-time resident. In the past, the centre also provided massage therapy training for the visually impaired. 'Today, many of them have become independent and are able to work on their own. 'Nevertheless, we continue to provide monthly living allowances,' Lau noted. She added that when the centre receives donated items such as rice or other essentials, these are distributed to eligible recipients. 'Every month, recipients will come to the centre to collect their allowances and any available aid,' she explained. Lau highlighted that anyone certified as blind by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) is eligible to register as a member of the society and receive the benefits provided. The Sarawak Society for the Blind (SSB) Sibu Division Branch will hold its 47th annual Open Day cum charity sale on October 12, from 7am to 12 noon, at the Sibu Blind Centre. According to organising committee chairperson Datin Sri Judy Lau, the fundraising target for this year remains at RM150,000 – the same as last year's benchmark. 'We hope the event will receive strong support and participation from the public, just as it has in previous years, so we can achieve our fundraising goal,' she said at a press conference, following a preparatory meeting on Thursday. Last year's event exceeded expectations by raising RM180,000, surpassing the original target, she revealed. Lau also expressed her gratitude to donors and supporters who have consistently contributed to the association's charitable efforts. This year's event will feature around 30 stalls, with the primary focus on food sales. In addition, a variety of items including daily necessities, ink paintings, decorative plants, and other goods will be available for purchase. To boost engagement, the organising committee is introducing two awards – 'Best Decorated Stall' and 'Top Fundraising Unit'. 'At the moment, charity sale tickets are being printed and will be distributed to confirmed participants and made available to the public soon,' Lau noted. Those interested in purchasing charity sale tickets may contact SSB Sibu Branch treasurer Lang Jai Lee on 016-8866886. operational cost public support Sarawak Society for the Blind Sibu SSB
