KPWKM TO REVIEW JKM AID APPLICATION ASSESSMENT AMID CONCERNS OVER OFFICERS’ COMPETENCY

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) will review the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) assistance application assessment process following concerns over the competency of its officers, particularly in cases involving rural applicants, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the matter had raised questions on whether the assessments carried out by the officers truly took into account the applicants’ circumstances, especially those without access to formal medical treatment.

“...this is a serious matter, which I hope JKM will look into again. Every application submitted must be carefully scrutinised and there should be no bureaucracy.

“Approval should be given to eligible applicants in accordance with the submitted application,” she said when winding up the debate on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 at the committee stage for KPWKM in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She was responding to the interjection by R. Yuneswaran (PH-Segamat), who raised concerns about how often JKM assistance applications are rejected and questioned whether the officers conducting the assessments have a medical background, given that many residents, especially in rural areas, rely on traditional treatments.

Noraini said JKM’s allocation this year had been increased to RM2.7 billion, up 12.83 per cent from RM2.4 billion in 2024, strengthening the delivery of assistance and allowing for the expansion of eligibility criteria for several schemes.

She said the increase in assistance rates covered various categories, including child assistance, which was raised from RM150-RM200 to RM200-RM250 per person with a maximum of RM1,000 per family; senior citizens, from RM500 to RM600 per month; and assistance for persons with disabilities (PwD), from a minimum of RM100-RM350 to RM150-RM500.

She said the income eligibility for care assistance for PwD and chronically ill patients was raised from RM3,000 to RM5,000, while the disabled worker allowance income limit was adjusted from RM1,500 to RM1,700.

Commenting on the one per cent employment target for PwD in the public sector, Noraini said that as of June 30, only 0.64 per cent, or 9,331 individuals, had been employed, with KPWKM itself having filled 170 positions for the group.

“KPWKM, in collaboration with the Public Service Department (JPA) and other agencies, is strongly committed to achieving one per cent participation of PwD in the public service sector,” she said.

The Dewan Rakyat then approved the estimated operating and development expenditure of RM4,187,963,600 for the ministry under Budget 2026 by a majority voice vote following debate by 26 MPs.

Earlier during the debate session, several MPs extended their greetings on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is observed annually on Nov 25.

They donned orange attire today in response to Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s call yesterday as a show of solidarity with the global movement to end violence against women.

--BERNAMA