KUCHING: The state government through the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry is committed to assist and ensure the poor in Sarawak are out of poverty.
Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said besides giving monthly assistance to the needy under the State Social Welfare Department (JKMS), these poor people are given training under the Welfare Micro-Entrepreneurs’ (UMK) programme.
Under the programme, recipients are given a grant of RM5,000 to start their business, and they would have to attend basic courses on business and marketing as well as given proper guidance by JKMS for six months to two years.
In 2018, the ministry approved grants to a total of 537 recipients.
“From January to September this year, we recorded the highest number of grants approved at 708 compared to the previous years,” she said during the launch of the Sarawak Wellbest (Welfare at its Best) Carnival 2019 at Metrocity, Matang, yesterday.
“This increase goes to show that the welfare recipients whose incomes are below RM1,500 are determined to increase their household income and have a better living standard,” she said.
Fatimah said her ministry wanted the welfare recipients to be able to stand on their own feet through the UMK programme and need not depend on government aid.
“When they succeed in their business, the government can provide the assistance to others who are in need,” she pointed out.
On the UMK programme, she said from 2017 to September this year, about 4,480 people were trained and 394 of them had managed to earn monthly income of more than RM1,000.
During the same period, the micro entrepreneurs recorded total sales of RM7.18 million.
Meanwhile, the carnival also witnessed the presentation of UMK Best Award 2018/2019 to three top micro-entrepreneurs.
Florence Remi Lanchang from Kuching received the platinum award, a cash prize of RM1,000 and a trophy. She was rewarded for accruing an average net income of RM17,000 per month through her sales of agriculture produce.
The diamond award recipient was Dayang Siti Roziah Abang Latih from Samarahan, who took home RM700 cash. Dayang recorded average monthly net income of RM12,700 through her sales.
The gold award went to Norlela Othman from Kuching who recorded monthly net sales of over RM11,500. She won RM500 cash. All winners also received a trophy and certificate.
About 150 UKM across Sarawak participated in the carnival which started on Nov 27 and ends today (Dec 1).
