Latest news with #SocialWelfareDepartment
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Melaka sets RM1,279 PGK threshold for JKM aid applications
MELAKA: A Poverty Line Income (PGK) threshold of RM1,279 has been set as a key criterion for individuals applying for Social Welfare Department (JKM) assistance in Melaka. State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Nordin confirmed the figure during the State Legislative Assembly session. The rate, determined by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) under the Ministry of Economy, is based on the Household Income, Expenditure and Basic Amenities Survey conducted by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). 'The PGK for Melaka is set at RM1,279, while the federal rate is RM1,198 for the entire household, (based on data) released by the EPU in 2022,' Kalsom said in response to a query from Datuk Zaidi Attan (BN–Serkam). Four assistance schemes are available under the PGK framework: Child Assistance, Senior Citizen Assistance, General State Assistance, and Disabled Persons Assistance. Applicants exceeding the PGK threshold may still qualify for other schemes, including the Disabled Workers Allowance (income limit RM1,700), Chronic Patient and Disabled Persons Care Assistance (RM5,000 and below), Bantuan Anak Pelihara, and the Apprentice Training Allowance—both without income restrictions. Additional subsidies include the Autistic Children's Learning Fee Subsidy (per capita income RM4,000 and below) and Childcare Fee Subsidy (per capita income RM800 and below). As of June 2025, JKM has disbursed RM79.8 million to 29,247 recipients across various aid programmes. – Bernama
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
New bill in the works to tackle homelessness, begging and urban poverty
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is drafting a bill on homelessness, begging and urban poverty (gelandangan, pengemis dan kemiskinan bandar) to address these issues more effectively and systematically. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the bill would include both rehabilitation and enforcement efforts, so that intervention initiatives to assist the homeless were well-structured and effectively targeted. These measures, she said, aimed to help individuals regain independence and lead better, more meaningful lives. The ministry also plans to amend the Destitute Persons Act 1977, following a comprehensive review. "The ministry has completed a review of the act, aimed at identifying outdated or irrelevant provisions that require amendments to better address issues related to homelessness, begging, and urban poverty. "The ministry is studying the findings in detail to ensure a more holistic framework that provides protection and support in all aspects from enforcement, rehabilitation and social integration," she said in reply to Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin). Isam, in his supplementary question, had inquired about the findings of the comprehensive review of the Destitute Persons Act 1977 conducted by the ministry. Nancy also said the ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, had taken in close to 8,000 destitute persons between 2021 and May this year. She said 1,528 destitute persons had been taken in in 2021, followed by 1,280 in 2022, 2,080 in 2023 and 1,987 in 2024. "This year, up to May, we have taken in 987 destitute persons." She said out of the 8,000 destitute persons, Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number with 1,742 taken in, followed by Penang (1,288) and Johor (1,199). "Based on age breakdowns, 515 destitute persons were under 18 years old, 5,068 were aged 18 to 59, and 2,018 were 60 years and above. The ages of the remainder were unconfirmed." She said under Subsection 3(1) of the Destitute Persons Act 1977, the welfare officers were empowered to take destitute persons into custody within 24 hours before bringing them before a magistrate. She added that the Social Welfare Department conducted such initiatives on an ad hoc basis in response to complaints, as well as through scheduled or periodic operations, either independently or jointly with other enforcement agencies such as the Health Ministry, the Immigration Department, the National Anti-Drugs Agency and local authorities.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
JKM detains 987 destitute in 5 months; highest in KL since 2021
KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Welfare Department (JKM) has 'detained' 987 individuals categorized as 'orang-orang Papa' (destitute persons) as of May 2025, operating under the provisions of the Destitute Persons Act 1977. The figure was revealed by Women, Family and Community Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri during today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. Nancy clarified that the term 'detained' is the legal terminology used in the Act. 'These actions are carried out by JKM on an ad-hoc basis, often triggered by public complaints, or through planned joint operations with other agencies,' she said. Providing a historical context, Nancy stated that a total of 1,987 destitute individuals were recorded in 2024; 2,080 in 2023; 1,280 in 2022; and 1,528 in 2021. Since 2021, Kuala Lumpur has recorded the highest cumulative number of detentions with 1,742 cases, followed by Penang (1,288) and Johor (1,199). Breaking down the numbers by age, 515 individuals were under 18, 5,068 were between 18 and 59 years old, and 2,018 were aged 60 and above. The ages of the remaining individuals were not confirmed. The Destitute Persons Act grants welfare officers the authority to detain individuals for up to 24 hours before they are presented to a Magistrate's Court. Operations are conducted either solely by JKM or in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, including the Health Ministry, Immigration Department, National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), and various local authorities. Responding to a query from Tampin MP Mohd Isam Mohd Isa, Nancy confirmed that the ministry has completed a comprehensive review of the 1977 Act. She indicated that several provisions were found to be outdated and will be replaced by a more practical legislative framework that specifically targets homelessness, begging, and urban poverty. 'We are working towards drafting a new Bill to address these issues in a more structured and targeted manner,' she stated. In response to a follow-up question from Tumpat MP Datuk Hajah Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-PAS), Nancy revealed that many of those detained suffer from mental health issues or drug dependency. These individuals are referred to the Health Ministry for temporary care before being returned to JKM custody. 'For this case, the list is quite long. If we break it down by state and by category, the data becomes very detailed. So, if possible, I would prefer to provide it in written form, as the statistics are too extensive to present here,' she added.
Barnama
8 hours ago
- Health
- Barnama
7,862 Homeless Individuals Taken In Since 2021
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- A total of 7,862 homeless individuals have been taken in by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) from 2021 until May this year, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. The yearly breakdown is as follows: 1,528 people in 2021, 1,280 in 2022, 2,080 in 2023, 1,987 in 2024, and 987 up to May this year. Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number with 1,742 cases, followed by Penang (1,288) and Johor (1,199). 'In terms of age, 515 were under 18, while 5,068 were aged between 18 and 59, and 2,018 were 60 and above. The ages of some individuals could not be confirmed,' she said during question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. She was responding to Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin), who asked for updated homelessness data by state and age group, as well as the government's plans to address the issue, especially in major cities. Nancy said the JKM acts on public complaints and also carries out regular and joint operations with agencies such as the Ministry of Health, Immigration Department, National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), and local authorities (PBT). In response to a supplementary question on the 2022 review of the Destitute Persons Act 1977, she said the government had identified outdated provisions and found that a more practical and suitable approach is needed. 'The ministry is working on comprehensive strategies to tackle homelessness. These efforts include enforcement against beggars and the homeless to ensure initiatives are well-coordinated and focused on helping them rebuild their lives,' she said. -- BERNAMA
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Surviving on two eggs a day: Mother of three shares her struggle
JOHOR BARU: For Norazlin Mohamed Noor, 47, each day begins with heartache and ends with quiet resilience. Living in a modest low-cost flat in Jalan Rawa 1 here, she holds her family of five together, feeding three school-going children and caring for a husband who is not only blind but now battling stage four eye cancer. With no steady income, the family survives on two eggs a day, often scrambled and shared between her children and husband, Md Nor Khalid, 59. "When we run out of food, we dip bread into syrup water. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), the children understand," she said quietly when met at her home today. Md Nor, a former traditional masseur, lost his sight gradually following emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in November last year. "After the operation, his vision began to fade over four to five months. Doctors told us it was nerve-related and irreversible," said Norazlin. Then, about two months ago, the family received devastating news, Md Nor had stage four eye cancer, and the disease has since spread to his brain. Doctors have advised immediate surgery to remove the tumour in his eye tissue, but the family has had to postpone the procedure due to financial hardship. "I manage everything, the hospital appointments, the children, the bills. But there's simply not enough money," said Norazlin, who receives RM1,100 monthly in welfare aid from the Social Welfare Department and the Johor Islamic Religious Council (Maij). The sum barely covers their RM250 rent, RM200 utilities, RM200 school van fees, and daily necessities for their children aged between 14 and 17. "Even their school fees had to be paid by a kind teacher. My sons' school trousers are worn out, but we can't afford replacements just yet. Still, they never complain," she said. Md Nor, who was registered as a person with disabilities in May, said he often suffers severe headaches due to the cancer. "Sometimes the pain is unbearable, I feel like hitting my head against the wall. But what can I do? We are poor. I just worry about my wife and our children," he said. While some relatives lend a helping hand occasionally, Md Nor is reluctant to rely on them. "They have families of their own," he added. Despite the hardship, Norazlin remains hopeful, relying on faith, strength, and the generosity of strangers to see her family through each day.
