Fatimah (centre) presents cash assistance to a student while (from second right) Ting, Yong and others look on.
SIBU: The state Welfare Department gives out assistance based on the need of the recipients.
According to Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Community Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, the assistance was never given based on race or religion of the recipients.
“The government cares for the poor and needy,” she said when officiating at a seminar organised by SMK Methodist Parent-Teacher Association at the school yesterday.
She said based on the household statistics registered in E-Kasih data bank, 20,384 households in Sarawak were categorized as hardcore poor, and 40,187 households as poor.
Households categorised as hardcore poor are those with monthly income of RM660 and below while those in poor category are those with income more than RM990 per month.
“A total of 57,676 households have moved above the poverty line as their income has surpassed the Poverty Line Guidelines as of January this year,” she added.
She added that ‘Sejambak Kasih’, a programme of Welfare Department held only during festive season, was only done in Sarawak.
“It makes sure recipients of welfare assistance are able to enjoy the festival like others, to make them feel they are not forgotten,” she said.
Later, at the same function, Fatimah presented early school aid to SMK Methodist students.
She also declared open the fourth entrance gate of the school; for the convenience of students from Hua Khiew Road, Tiong Hua Road, Lajong Lane and Laichee Lane.
The gate was sponsored by the school’s PTA.
PTA chairman Ting Wei Ping, principal Yong Choo Tiong and SMK Methodist Alumni Association chairperson Alice Wong were also present at the function.