LUNDU: The District Office here will take strict measures to ensure that only those genuinely in need benefit from the government’s E-Kasih programme.
District Officer Azmi Bujang revealed that his office would embark on a programme in all villages in the Lundu-Sematan area to stop those who are taking advantage of the E-Kasih scheme.
“As of April 2011, the district office has registered a total of 623 new E-Kasih applicants. We will inspect the true status of the applicants to delist those not qualified.
“All village heads, community leaders and political party leaders had been asked to start a census and do their own investigation to ensure this,” he said at the Community Hall here yesterday.
He was delivering a speech at the presentation of grant and charity aid for those registered with E-Kasih in Lundu district.
Also present was Tanjung Datu assemblyman and Special Advisor in the Chief Minister’s Department Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem who handed over the grants to the recipients.
Azmi said the census and investigation would cover the 2,215 registered E-Kasih communities in Lundu-Sematan.
Of the lot, a total of 217 are listed as ‘hardcore poor’ and 896 as ‘poor’.
A further 863 were in the ‘near poverty line’ while 239 listed ‘above the poverty line’.
“Unfortunately, there are cases of individuals (not qualified for the aid) who managed to elude authorities and continue to enjoy grants from E-Kasih.
“I hope the public would play a civic role and report such cases to stop irresponsible individuals abusing the system,” Azmi said.
He also urged community leaders and village heads to keep themselves updated on the condition of their people.
“We are targeting a 100 per cent clean and genuine record in the E-Kasih system.”
He urged all deserving cases to register with E-Kasih at the District Office.
Azmi said there were qualified individuals and households yet to be registered, and that the blame would be on community leaders and village heads.
Yesterday’s event saw 100 bicycles from Malaysia Women Foundation presented to students who excelled in the 2010 examinations .
A total of 78 mattresses and pillows, and 21 boxes of food rations were also handed out from the Welfare Department.
Adenan hoped those truly in need of government aid would register with programmes like E-Kasih.
He advised the people to appreciate and take care of all the things the government had provided or given.