KUCHING: The Sarawak government remains committed to tackling issues related to children’s welfare.
Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said among the initiatives that had been introduced by the state government were the Bantuan Ihsan Kematian (BIK), Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS), Bantuan Ibu Bersalin (BIB), Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC), Bantuan Ihsan Kematian (BIK), Geran Tahunan Khas (GTK) and many others.
“Ever since it was introduced in 2019, and as of Sept 30 this year, there have been 82,756 applications approved under the EFS,” she said when handing over welfare aid to mothers on Monday (Oct 31).
Under the EFS, RM1,000 would be given to every newborn Sarawakian baby in the form of savings and can only be withdrawn when they turn 18.
Fatimah said that since Jan 1, 2020, RM450 had been given to every mother who gave birth under the BIB initiative.
“The state government also approved the distribution of GTK to every early childhood institution registered in the state.
“From 2019 to 2021, a total of RM30.38mil had been allocated to eligible pre-schools and kindergartens.
“These financial aid will be distributed to the accounts of eligible mothers from 2020 to Sept 30 this year, in which 36,808 mothers have received the BIB,” she added.
Since January to September 2022, the Social Welfare Department has channelled financial assistance amounting to RM184,418,170 to 52,751 ecipients throughout Sarawak.
