ALL READY: Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah (right) goes through her text of speech together with the state Family and Women Department director Noriah Ahmad.
THE state has recorded a drop in teenage pregnancy cases which is a much-welcomed trend, says Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
Data have shown that the number of cases recorded between January and October this year was 2,087, down from 4,078 in 2013.
“This trend will lessen our concern about the wellbeing of teenage girls who are not prepared to be mothers – physiologically, emotionally as well as financially.
“For 2017, the ministry together with One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committee will continue to intensify efforts in the prevention of teenage pregnancy and also to advocate better awareness among secondary school students through the ‘Sex Education Awareness and Advocacy Programme’.”
On a separate note, Fatimah said the government would continue its commitment in helping the needy even under the current economic uncertainties.
‘Until October this year, there are a total of 57,002 people who are receiving monthly welfare assistance from the state Social Welfare Department (JKMNS), with a total of RM158.7 million having been spent.
“JKMNS will continue to ensure that the wellbeing of the needy would be cared for, through the implementation of the Micro Welfare Entrepreneurs Development Programme.
“To date, there are 149 recipients who have been removed from poverty line, having obtained income of more than RM1,000 monthly.
“Also, the government has agreed to use the latest poverty line of RM990, instead of the previous RM830. This will enable more people in need of the monthly welfare assistance to be given consideration beginning next year,” she said.
Fatimah further explained that the government continued to give economic assistance to low-income households through the 1Azam Programme.
“Realising that the 1Azam Programme has helped a lot of low-income households, the ministry has taken the initiative to negotiate with the federal government to ensure the continuity of this programme.
“Through the recent Putrajaya Inquisition meeting in April, the prime minister has approved allocation of RM40 million, to be disbursed in two phases.
“The first RM20 million has been channelled to the state government, slated to benefit 2,500 low-income household heads. As at Nov 17, a total of 2,460 low-income household heads (98.4 per cent) had received the assistance, involving RM19.4 million in allocation.
“The second phase will help 2,500 out of 24,837 low-income household heads and those from the hardcore poor segment who have not received any form of economic assistance,” the minister said.
A GOOD DAY: Assistant Minister for Solidarity Rosey Yunus walking towards the entrance of the DUN with (from left, background) Lingga assemblywoman Simoi Peri, Assistant Minister for Industrial Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Minister for Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh and Assistant Minister for Rural Economy and Plantation Datuk Francis Harden following from behind.