A TOTAL of RM50 million has been allocated under Sarawak’s Budget 2025 for the Senior Citizen Health Benefit, which is expected to benefit about 100,000 senior citizens in the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that each eligible senior citizen will be entitled to RM500 in cashless medical services at approved panel clinics.
“This initiative is particularly aimed at supporting the M40 and B40 groups, many of whom are retired or without stable income,” he said.
Abang Johari, who is also the Finance and New Economy Minister, added that various programmes empowering women and vulnerable groups will continue next year, focusing on equipping participants with knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to increase household incomes.
The programmes include:
- Low-Income Household Empowering Programme: RM3.75 million allocated to assist 750 low-income families in starting small businesses.
- Usahawan Mikro Kebajikan: RM2.5 million to support B40 micro-entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities, single mothers, and widows through training, capital assistance, and market access.
- Women skills training: RM494,000 for courses in culinary arts, beauty, spa services, and sewing.
He made these announcements while tabling the second reading of the Sarawak Budget 2025 at the second meeting of the third session of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
Abang Johari also announced funding will continue for the establishment and operation of social support centres for vulnerable groups:
- Community social support centres: RM3.08 million for centres in Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Bintulu, Lawas, and Mukah.
- Tempat Transit Gelandangan: RM1.8 million to support the operation of existing homeless transit centres in Sibu, Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu.
- Special needs community centre: RM1.5 million for establishing centres for special needs groups.
- Temporary shelter for low-income recovery community:Approximately RM737,000 allocated to set up shelters in Sibu and Bintulu.
Also, various social welfare programmes will receive funding to foster healthy families, communities, and promote social inclusivity. Key allocations include:
- Endowment Fund Sarawak:RM15 million and RM14 million for Bantuan Ibu Bersalin to support maternal and child health.
- One-Stop Early Intervention Centres:RM3.94 million for services supporting children with special needs.
- Welfare aid: RM55 million for initiatives like Bantuan Am, Bantuan Bencana, Bantuan Perubatan, Bantuan OKU Tidak Berupaya Bekerja (BTB), Bantuan Sekolah, and Bantuan Belia-Beliawanis.
- Haemodialysis assistance: RM4.7 million to assist kidney patients.
- Death compassionate assistance: RM15 million to ease financial burdens for families of deceased Kenyalang Gold Card holders.
“These initiatives reflect our unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the rakyat, particularly those in vulnerable groups,” Abang Johari added.
