RM215.25 million welfare aid disbursed for Sarawakians

KUCHING: The Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) has distributed RM215,253,000 in monthly welfare assistance to its recipients across the state this year.

Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam said that the assistance was distributed to 55,684 recipients from January to October this year.

“For Kuching Division alone, a total of RM4,203,900 has been distributed to 10,471 recipients in the same period,” he said during the Sejambak Kasih Deepavali 2024 event, held in collaboration with Petronas, at Pullman Hotel on Wednesday (Oct 23).

During the ceremony, 50 welfare recipients in Kuching who will be celebrating Deepavali this month end, were given RM100 in cash and hampers containing basic food items worth RM250 per recipient, courtesy of the collaboration between Petronas and Kuching Social Welfare Division Office.

In addition, Petronas in its commitment to the local community also contributed an additional RM12,500 in food hampers to all the recipients.

This was the third time Petronas had collaborated in the event, in addition to covering part of the organising costs.

Also present at the event were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Felicia Tan Ya Hua, Kuching Resident’s representative Siti Rohaya Wahet, JKMS director Semawi Mohamad, Petronas Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu, Kuching Social Welfare officer Aziah Saruji, and Penghulu Lucy Lingam.