KUCHING: More people in Sarawak now have the opportunity to enjoy various welfare assistance as the state government aligns the Poverty Line Income (PGK) to RM1,198, in accordance with the official 2022 rate.
Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the decision was made during a State Cabinet meeting on Thursday after she presented a proposal on the matter.
“Previously, the state’s general assistance was still using the poverty line of RM990 set in 2014, while federal welfare assistance had already adopted the 2022 poverty line rate of RM1,198.
“Now we have aligned it. This way, there is no more confusion as both are using the same poverty line,” she explained at a press conference at Bangunan Baitulmakmur 2 here on Friday.
According to Fatimah, this alignment brings good news to the people of Sarawak because it means that more low-income households will qualify for monthly assistance.
Among the assistance provided are the Elderly Assistance, Child Assistance, Assistance for Disabled Persons (OKU) who are employed and unemployed, as well as Assistance for Bedridden Patients.
“The majority of applications we receive are from single mothers. However, single fathers who care for young children are also eligible to apply if their household income is below RM1,198,” Fatimah added.
She added that the state government also maintains General Assistance as a support scheme for those who do not meet certain criteria but still fall within the poor category.
For example, someone who is poor but under 60 years old and does not qualify for elderly assistance, they can still be assisted through General Assistance, she explained.
Fatimah stressed that last year, many applicants were unable to receive assistance simply because of the low old poverty line.
With the new rate, more eligible groups will benefit, she said.
“The government wants to ensure that no one is left behind. Those who truly qualify must be helped. That’s our concern,” Fatimah said.
Also present was Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department head, ACP Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah.
“Previously, the state’s general assistance was still using the poverty line of RM990 set in 2014, while federal welfare assistance had already adopted the 2022 poverty line rate of RM1,198.
“Now we have aligned it. This way, there is no more confusion as both are using the same poverty line,” she explained at a press conference at Bangunan Baitulmakmur 2 here on Friday.
According to Fatimah, this alignment brings good news to the people of Sarawak because it means that more low-income households will qualify for monthly assistance.
Among the assistance provided are the Elderly Assistance, Child Assistance, Assistance for Disabled Persons (OKU) who are employed and unemployed, as well as Assistance for Bedridden Patients.
“The majority of applications we receive are from single mothers. However, single fathers who care for young children are also eligible to apply if their household income is below RM1,198,” Fatimah added.
She added that the state government also maintains General Assistance as a support scheme for those who do not meet certain criteria but still fall within the poor category.
For example, someone who is poor but under 60 years old and does not qualify for elderly assistance, they can still be assisted through General Assistance, she explained.
Fatimah stressed that last year, many applicants were unable to receive assistance simply because of the low old poverty line.
With the new rate, more eligible groups will benefit, she said.
“The government wants to ensure that no one is left behind. Those who truly qualify must be helped. That’s our concern,” Fatimah said.
Also present was Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department head, ACP Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah.