The Federal Government, through the Women, Family & Community Development Ministry, will increase its allocation for welfare aid next year.Announcing this Friday, its Minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said:
"I told Sabah Welfare Services Director Etong Terang to spend more next year (2012). To assist needy groups, we will increase the allocation from RM207 million this year (2011) to RM215 million for 2012.
"The number of recipients will also be raised by 5pc," she said at the Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Wanita Christmas Celebration with the Rakyat held at Dewan Masyarakat Menggatal, here.
According to Shahrizat, the Ministry spent RM207,038,395.00 for six welfare assistance schemes in assisting the State Government this year.
The breakdown is as follows : - Old Age Assistance (BOT): RM137,572,000.00 (38,533 recipients) - Children's Aid (BKK): RM40,645,865.00 (9596 recipients) - Disabled Worker's Allowance (EPC): RM1,942,200.00 (603 recipients) - Disabled Persons (OKU) who are chronically ill or bedridden: RM13,707,000.00 (3808 recipients) - Non-Working Disabled Persons (OKU): RM77,700.00 (59 recipients) - Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Negara (MTEN) (Orphan Aid & General Assistance): RM13,093,530.00 (18,776 recipients)
"Departments and agencies under the Sabah BN Government also work very hard to provide social services to the poor and needy," she noted.
Also present were Etong, Deputy Director of Public Welfare Services, Said Hj Sidup and Senior Assistant Director, Jais Asri.
The inaugural Christmas celebration, attended by more than 1,000 people, was jointly hosted by Karambunai Assembly-woman Datuk Hjh Jainab Ahmad and Inanam Assemblyman Datuk Johnny Goh.
Of the figure, 540 underprivileged individuals (senior citizens, disabled persons, single mothers, among others), received a RM100 cash gift each and Christmas goodies (bag, 4-metre material, food items and health products) from Shahrizat who is also Chairperson of Barisan Nasional Wanita Malaysia.
The recipients were recommended by seven BN component parties - PBS, UPKO, PBRS, MCA, LDP, MIC and Gerakan.
Retired teacher Ann from Likas said: "This is truly 1Malaysia Spirit and should be promoted yearly. We have Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazandusun and other ethnic groups in our midst today."
Pensioner Jimmy Gomidong of Kg Kokol, Menggatal said the Christmas celebration was conducive to social interaction in uniting the multi-racial people of Sabah.
The cash gifts were contributed by Yayasan Kebajikan Negara, a government agency under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, while the goodies were sponsored by the Ministry.
Among those who attended were BN Wanita Malaysia Secretary-General, Datuk Raja Ropiaah, Sabah BN Wanita Chief, Datuk Hjh Armani Hj Amiruddin and Deputy Chief, Datuk Jamilah Sulaiman, CEO of Yayasan Kebajikan Negara, Dato' Sayed A. Rahman Sayed Mohd and Dato' Rafek Reshidullah, a member of the Board of Trustees.
Sayed said Yayasan Kebajikan Negara has a programme to promote good values (example, looking after the well-being of elderly citizens) during major festivals like Hari Raya Puasa, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas.
In her address, Shahrizat conveyed Christmas greetings from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.
"I am so happy to be in Sabah. We are like a big family in line with the concept of 1Malaysia, irrespective of race, religion or culture.
"Christmas is all about love, forgiveness, giving and charity.
One old tale is that Santa Claus came down from the chimney but today, Santa Claus comes from our heart with love for people.
"Aanangan oku dikoyu (Dusun), I love you all. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," she said.
Earlier, Jainab described the occasion as historical although it is a norm for all races in Sabah, regardless of their religion, to join in the Christmas celebration every year.
Goh, meanwhile, said the special gathering was a meaningful event, besides providing the opportunity for the rakyat to rub shoulders with leaders.
Daily Express Online.
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