KUCHING: A total of 7,738 disadvantaged and needy individuals across Sarawak each received RM100 ‘ang pow’ from the state Welfare Department in conjunction with the upcoming Lunar New Year celebration.
Kuching topped the list with 2,791 recipients followed by Sibu with 2,073, Miri (670), Sri Aman (528), Sarikei (438), Bintulu (259), Betong (224), Samarahan (213), Limbang (194), Serian (160), Dalat (149) and Kapit (39).
This was revealed by the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development during a charity event here yesterday.
According to the ministry, the state Welfare Department doled out over RM209 million to a total of 58,038 recipients under various categories of assistance last year.
There are eight types of assistance schemes under the department.
The Senior Citizens Assistance (BOT) Scheme registered the highest number of recipients at 22,440, with each of them receiving RM350 monthly, bringing the total amount to over RM92.84 million.
A total of 11,603 households received between RM200 and RM300 per month under the General Assistance (BA) Scheme with the total amount given exceeding RM31.3 million.
Under Children Assistance (BKK) Scheme, more than RM30.3 million was handed out to 11,560 recipients with each child given RM100 and the maximum of RM450 for five children and above.
More than RM20 million were given out to 6,937 physically challenged (OKU) individuals who are unable to work and over RM7.99 million was aided 2,001 OKU individuals with chronic diseases.
On top of that, a total of 3,433 individuals received more than RM16 million under the Disabled Employees Allowance (EPC) Scheme.
Eighteen recipients were given RM72,750 under the Children under Guardian Assistance (BAP) Scheme with RM250 to RM500 for each child.
A total of 46 individuals also received RM36,200 under the Youths Assistance (BBB) Scheme.
Apart from these assistance schemes, the Sarawak government also topped up more than RM10 million for other assistance meant for the disadvantaged and the needy statewide.