Two-year service extension for 100 welfare personnel under JKMS

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has approved a two-year extension of service for 100 welfare personnel under the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS).

Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the matter was approved during the State Cabinet meeting yesterday (Sept 24).

She said the extension was necessary to assist JKMS in managing various welfare cases, including disaster relief operations throughout the state.

“This is an extension. Previously, we recruited 100 people to assist JKM in dealing with disaster cases and managing other matters handled by JKM.

“We wanted the Cabinet to approve the extension because their service period will end on Dec 31, 2026.”

She said this during the symbolic presentation of the 2026 Kuching Storm Disaster Relief Assistance to 20 representatives of recipients at Wisma Kebajikan today (Sept 25).

Elaborating, Fatimah said the personnel would also assist in implementing state welfare initiatives, including the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC), as well as managing monthly welfare assistance recipients throughout Sarawak.

She said a total of 57,211 monthly welfare assistance recipients were recorded across Sarawak, comprising children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (OKU) and bedridden patients.

Also present were Sarawak Social Welfare Department director Semawi Mohamad, Kuching South City Council mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Kuching Divisional social welfare officer Pengiran Mohamad Najib Pengiran Mohamad, and Sarawak Social Development Council executive secretary Riziandy Nawawi.