MONTHLY AID FOR SENIORS, FIRST HOME DEPOSIT FOR YOUTHS IF GRS GETS NEW MANDATE - HAJIJI

KOTA BELUD, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Senior citizens aged 60 and above, as well as youths in Sabah, can look forward to good news if Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is once again given the mandate in the 17th Sabah State Election, with two welfare initiatives currently being formulated by the state government.

GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state government is reviewing the introduction of monthly aid for senior citizens and a first home deposit scheme for youths to strengthen the social safety net and improve young people’s ability to own a home.

“These initiatives are currently in the planning stage. We plan to assist those aged 60 and above, and for young people or qualified citizens, we will help them pay the deposit for their first home,” he told reporters during a campaign tour in Usukan and Tempasuk today.

Hajiji, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, said both initiatives are expected to have a significant impact, particularly for low-income groups facing the burden of rising living costs and increasing house prices.

At the same time, Hajiji expressed confidence in the capabilities of GRS candidates, Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari in Tempasuk, and Datuk Japlin Akim in Usukan, in the upcoming state polls.

Mohd Arsad faces a seven-cornered contest to defend the Tempasuk seat, while Japlin will go up against five other candidates.

The Election Commission has set Nov 29 as the polling day, with early voting on Nov 25.

For the latest updates on the 17th Sabah state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php. 

-- BERNAMA