KUCHING: Applications totalling 202,722 have been received for the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) by the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) as of March 26 this year.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said this was equivalent to 64.35 per cent of the estimated 315,000 senior citizens in the state.
“This is an initiative by the government as a recognition of, and respect for, senior citizens, by collaborating with strategic partners to provide discounts and rebates in terms of goods and services.”
Fatimah was officiating at the KGC strategic partners appreciation, and presentation of welfare aid ceremony, at Waterfront Hotel here on Monday (March 29).
On the Death Compassionate Assistance (BIK), she said 1,862 applications had been received by the JKMS last year.
“We received 973 BIK applications as of March 26. This brings the total to 2,835, since last year, involving an allocation of RM6.9 million.”
The BIK, which provided RM3,000 to the next-of-kin of KGC holders, is an initiative of the state government to help ease the family’s burden with regard to funeral costs.
Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah hands over a replica of the Kenyalang Gold Card to a recipient. Photo: Munirah Zhamri 
Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah hands over a replica of the Kenyalang Gold Card to a recipient. Photo: Munirah Zhamri
