556,300 Individuals Receive RM2.28 Bln In Welfare Aid Annually - Nancy

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- A total of 556,300 individuals are currently receiving welfare assistance amounting to RM2.28 billion a year, compared with just over 200,000 recipients previously, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

She said the sharp rise in the number of recipients indicated the need to review the income eligibility threshold in view of the rising cost of living, especially in urban areas.

“The Social Welfare Department (JKM) applies the food poverty line income (PLI) of RM1,169, but this is not the only benchmark. We also take into account the applicants’ needs and overall circumstances,” she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang) on the percentage of productive and non-productive recipients, the effectiveness of programmes to lift beneficiaries out of poverty, and the need to revise income eligibility thresholds in tandem with the higher cost of living.

Nancy said the proposal to revisit the income eligibility criteria had been raised before, and the ministry is ready to bring it forward with the support of Members of Parliament.

Separately, she said JKM is expected to roll out a new system by early 2027 to ensure monthly welfare payments are disbursed more efficiently, as the existing system has reached its operational limit.

She said weaknesses in the current platform have led to a small number of recipients receiving their aid after the scheduled date, although JKM has set a target for all payments to be completed before the 10th of every month.

“This is because the current system, which has been in use for a long time, now requires a complete overhaul… JKM is in the process of developing a new system,” she said.

Nancy said payments are now made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) into any bank account selected by the recipient.

She was responding to an original question from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) on measures to ensure that welfare assistance, such as aid for children, allowances for persons with disabilities and assistance for senior citizens, is paid on time.

-- BERNAMA