BALINGIAN: Monetary assistance totalling over RM52 million had been distributed to the needy persons in the state from January to March this year.
This was disclosed by Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development, Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah yesterday.
“The assistance totalled at RM52,421,950 had been distributed to 56,424 needy persons who were the clients of Sarawak Welfare Department monthly assistance,” she said.
Fatimah pointed that it is wonderful indicator that the government is very concerned on the wellbeing of the people of Sarawak especially the needy in our midst.
She added the assistance has never been decreased or deducted since it was introduced eventhough at a time when the economy was not so good which not only affected the nation but the whole world.
“And instead of decreasing them since its introduction, the government was increasing the amount to alleviate the financial problem faced by the people especially the needy in our midst,” she said.
Fatimah, who is also Dalat State Assemblywoman, stated this while speaking at the Majlis Sejambak
Kasih (Bouquet of Love) Hari Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri Event held at the community hall of Kampung Masjid, in Balingian.
Besides this, she also revealed that the Sejambak Kasih programme was only introduced and found in Sarawak and not in other states of the nation.
“This is usually held in conjunction the religious and communal festivals, like Chinese New Year, Gawai Dayak, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas. Sejambak Kasih is only found in Sarawak because our state government wants to see the needy to enjoy and to be cheerful in celebrating their respective festivals,” she said.
For this event in Balingian, some 200 clients of Welfare Department from the area received the cash assistance and hampers.
Hence, Fatimah, hoped certain quarters would not politicise it because it has been an annual activity of the said department prior to the holding of communal or religious celebrations as stated.
“Since the date of Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya is very close to each other this year, the department has decided to hold it together like this one today for Balingian,” she added.
At the end of the speech, she urged the people to go to the polling centres in full force to exercise their responsibility as citizens of a democratic nation.
“Makes sure that your Identity card is always with you because it is a very important document to
show that your are the citizens of this country. Please discard the perception that even though you do not vote, certain party would also win. Just make the right choice especially those that deliver,” she said.
Meanwhile, Penghulu Shahdan Shahari, who also spoke at the function, thanked Fatimah and the department for choosing the village as venue for Sejambak programme.
Also present were Balingian State Assemblyman Abdul Yakub Haji Arbi, political secretary to the Chief
Minister Faridah Osman, Mukah Deputy Resident Abdul Halim Abdullah, Mordiah Sulaiman from State
Welfare Department, Temenggong Hendi Suhai, BN Candidate for P.213 Mukah Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib and local community leaders.
