JKM CHANNELLED RM3.1 BILLION IN FINANCIAL AID TO OVER 500,000 CLIENTS LAST YEAR - NANCY

PUTRAJAYA, March 9 (Bernama) -- A total of RM3.1 billion in monthly financial aid was disbursed last year to help ease the cost of living for over 500,000 Social Welfare Department (JKM) recipients.

Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said JKM also channelled RM19.5 million to 204 voluntary welfare organisations (PSK) nationwide, which provide care, protection and rehabilitation facilities for target groups.

She said the initiative benefited 6,292 clients and strengthened the social security network for those in need.

"As of today, there are 39 children's institutions, with 1,808 residents, 12 senior citizen institutions with 1,202 residents and 10 people with disabilities (PwD) institutions with 1,094 residents,” she said.

She said this at the ministry's Ihya’ Ramadan Programme with JKM target groups for 2026 here today.

Nancy said the government, through KPWKM (Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development) and JKM, will maintain its momentum in implementing various initiatives to ensure the welfare of target groups continues to be enhanced this year.

"We are committed to ensuring no group is left behind from the mainstream of development and social protection,” she said.

The ministry's Ihya’ Ramadan programme, together with the JKM target groups this year, celebrated 135 recipients comprising children, senior citizens and PwDs from Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

The programme also reflected the concern of the corporate sector through the contribution of 200 food baskets and duit raya to the target groups, and was further enlivened by a tazkirah (sermon) session titled “Keindahan Ramadan: Harmoni Bersama” (The Beauty of Ramadan: Harmony Together) that was delivered by Ustaz Mohamad Hanafiah Abdul Malek.

Nancy also took the opportunity to advise the children present not to feel inferior but to have confidence in their potential, as the future of the nation lies in the hands of the younger generation. 

She also expressed her appreciation to the elderly for their contributions to society and assured that the government would continue to strive to ensure their welfare is always safeguarded.

As for the PwDs, Nancy said their disability should not be seen as a barrier to success, as every individual has their own talents and unique characteristics to be proud of.

"When I look at the faces of the children, parents, the elderly and our PwD friends present today, I feel that all of you are part of the large JKM family that I deeply cherish.

"Your resilience and perseverance in navigating the challenges of life are an inspiration and a driving force for us at the ministry to work more diligently to ensure that those celebrated today are always cared for and receive the welfare they deserve,” she said.

-- BERNAMA