SIKR 3.0: GOVT’S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO PROTECT LOW-INCOME GROUPS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- The implementation of the People’s Welfare Insurance Scheme (SIKR) 3.0 reflects the government’s continued commitment to protecting low-income families and easing their cost of living.

A beneficiary, Hasdezawati Mat Des, 42, said the scheme has been crucial in supporting her as a single mother.

She received RM13,500 in insurance payout following her brother’s death, which she will use for daily needs and her child’s education.

“My late brother helped me a lot. With SIKR, I can continue supporting my family and plan to start a small business.

“I hope Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will continue this scheme to make things easier for the people,” she told Bernama after the closing ceremony of the Rancakkan MADANI Bersama Malaysiaku programme here today.

Hasdezawati said the scheme especially benefits single mothers and families who lose their breadwinner, and hoped the government would give more attention to such groups.

Earlier, the Prime Minister launched two initiatives under the national development agenda, namely SIKR 3.0 and the Sahabat Penggerak MADANI national volunteer programme.

SIKR is a complimentary syariah-compliant annual group term takaful plan sponsored by the government, providing protection for 300,000 heads of households from the hardcore poor and poor categories registered with the eKasih database.

The first SIKR was launched in 2022 with RM13.4 million in government-paid contributions, covering 268,887 household heads. Under SIKR 2.0, coverage was RM10,500 for natural death, RM25,500 for accidental death and RM10,500 for permanent disability from accidents.

Private sector employee, Afiq Imran Isa, 32, said the scheme is a proactive step by the government to safeguard the well-being of low-income families.

“This scheme clearly shows the government’s commitment to help people, especially those who face financial problems after the loss of a breadwinner. Insurance is costly, so when the government provides it, we feel appreciated,” he said.

Meanwhile, civil servant Siti Suraya Sudin, 43, said the Sahabat Penggerak MADANI initiative can build national awareness and help the public better understand government policies.

She added that volunteers equipped with digital communication skills would help the government deliver messages to the people more effectively.

Sahabat Penggerak MADANI involves volunteers trained by the Malaysian Nationhood Academy (AKM) to promote national awareness, leadership and government policies at the grassroots level.

-- BERNAMA