Minister: Close to RM300 mln in monthly welfare aid disbursed in Sarawak in 2025

SIBU (Feb 10): The Welfare Department (JKM) remains committed to providing assistance to targeted groups so as to enable the recipients face life with greater resilience.

In highlighting this, Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said from January to December last year, the department disbursed a total of RM299.791 million in monthly welfare assistance to 57,073 recipients in Sarawak.

“For January 2026, the JKM Sibu Division disbursed RM2.583 million to 5,701 recipients of monthly welfare aid.

“This assistance is not merely intended to lighten the burden off the recipients, but also as a moral support so that they can continue their lives in a better and more meaningful way,” she said in officiating at the ‘Sejambak Kasih’ programme for the upcoming Lunar New Year celebration, here yesterday.

On the programme for this division, the minister said it meant to benefit 1,708 welfare aid recipients in Sibu, Kanowit and Selangau districts, who would celebrate the Lunar New Year next week.

Those who attended the event yesterday each received RM100 and a hamper worth RM80; those unable to go would have the RM100 credited directly into their respective bank accounts.

Meanwhile, Fatimah said the Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK) Sibu building would undergo repair and upgrading works soon to ensure that the facility would remain safe, comfortable and suitable for long-term use.

“The Sarawak government is always committed to safeguarding the welfare of the people, especially senior citizens under institutional care.

“Various initiatives have been and are being implemented to ensure that they enjoy an environment conducive to safe and comfortable living,” she said.

“To ensure that the welfare and well-being of RSK Sibu residents would be cared for during this upgrading period, there are arrangements for temporary relocation to RSK Kuching,” she added.

Also present were JKM Sarawak director Semawi Mohamad and Sibu District officer Tsong Chow Choon.