Jainab presents the house key to Reckan. Also seen are Ellron (second left), Siti Ameh (fourth right), Bil Suhud (left) and Virus (third left).
KENINGAU: The state government has allocated RM5 million to provide special assistance to a total of 26,612 persons with disabilities registered with the Welfare Services Department in the state, said Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs Datuk Hajah Jainab Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmad Ayid, here.
She said that out of the total, RM50,000 was used to finance a pilot project to build a new home for the disabled in addition to buying equipment for the Community Rehabilitation Centre (CRC).
“This clearly shows that the government chosen by the people is giving priority to the progress and welfare of the people at all times,” she told reporters after handing over keys to a new house to four brothers with disabilities at Kampung Kuala Tigasa Sook here, yesterday.
She said the house for the four brothers located at Kuala Tigasa Sook, Keningau cost RM50,000.
Jainab said a Facebook posting in January, regarding a fund-raising effort to build a home for the disabled four brothers caught her attention.
“The Department of Welfare Services Keningau and the headquarters made a joint visit to the disabled family home and found that they were renting a house after their father died.”
She said the guardian of the four was also one of the siblings and could not work for some reasons, and had to take care of his brothers full-time.
She said after the visit was made, the department decided to build a house for the four siblings using the special provisions of the state government at a cost of RM50,000.
“The pilot project is the first in the history of the Sabah Welfare Department that not only built the house but a home that is equipped with furniture and other household appliances, to not burden the family in the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” she said.
The four siblings who receive aid of RM200 per month and home assistance are Ume, Reckan, Roles and Benlee Kawani Tinunggul, while Mohamad Azizan Tinunggul is the full-time guardian of the four of them.
Jainab said that during the tabling of the budget, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman announced a special allocation of RM53 million to be distributed to all ministries and relevant departments including her ministry for youth, women, entrepreneurs, non-governmental organizations, the elderly and disabled.
Jainab said there were 588 disabled persons registered with the Welfare Department in Keningau, with the special assistance of RM161,600 given a month.
She also urged parents with disabled children to register with the Welfare Services Department in their respective areas so that they can also be given assistance including training and education.
“I urge parents not to hide their disabled children or ignore their responsibility and deny the opportunities provided by the government.
“Recently, the Parliament passed the Child Abandonment Act and when this act is enforced, action can be taken against parents who neglect their children with disabilities,” she said.
Also present at the function were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin, deputy director of the State Department of Social Welfare Services Sabah Siti Ameh Haji Ruman, Keningau Welfare Department assistant director Bil Suhud Mohamad, Sook Assistant District Officer Virus Malitam, Sook Community Development Leader Charles Ikang and government officials.