Rosey (third right) presenting the CNY aid to a recipient while Lukanisman (right), Jamalie (fourth right) and others look on.
MIRI: The Miri Division Welfare Department spent some RM16 million on monthly assistance to a total of 4,378 welfare recipients in the division last year.
Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus disclosed this during the Sejambak Kasih event in conjunction with Chinese New Year at Bekenu community hall yesterday.
Rosey, who is Bekenu assemblywoman, said the amount was distributed to recipients under seven schemes – senior citizens; children; general; allowance for people with disability; assistance to look after people with disability and bed-ridden patients, people with disability unfit for employment, youth and financial aid to look after children.
“Besides the monthly assistance, the government through the ministry has drafted several programmes to assist the target group such as school aid, launching grant and community-based rehabilitation centre (PDK) for children with disabilities.
“These programmes are part of the government’s efforts to increase community wellbeing, thus uplifting the living standard of the welfare recipients.”
She urged recipients to be aware of welfare programmes conducted by their school and said needy parents can apply for such assistance for their children at the welfare office near them.
She also said launching grants are also available for those keen to venture into business as source of income.
She also reminded parents of children with disabilities to send them for proper training at any of the 24 PDK throughout Sarawak.
Touching on the event, she said a total of 670 recipients in Miri Division will receive the festive aid in conjunction with the Chinese New Year this year.
Some 30 recipients from Bekenu received the festive aid during the function.
Also present were Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni and Subis district officer Jamalie Busri.