Kuala lumpur: A total of RM2.03 billion has been disbursed to 562,116 welfare recipients under the Social Welfare Department (JKM) from January to August this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri revealed that out of the total recipients, 267,036 were men and 295,080 were women.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, JKM statistics show that in 2022, 533,167 recipients received RM2.46 billion in aid. This year, the number of beneficiaries has increased to 543,811, with an allocated budget of RM2.53 billion. Nancy provided these figures in response to a query from Zahari Kechik (PN-Jeli).

Regarding the ethnic composition of recipients as of August, Nancy stated that 316,471 were Malay, 92,749 were Chinese, 61,833 were Indian, 1,124 were Peninsular Natives, 44,969 were Sabah Natives, 39,398 were Sarawak Natives, and 5,621 belonged to other ethnic groups. The largest age group among JKM beneficiaries is senior citizens aged 60 and above, with 248,831 recipients of Bantuan Warga Emas (BWE).

In response to a supplementary question regarding vulnerable groups who are eligible but have not received aid, Nancy explained that every application undergoes a thorough assessment through field investigations by JKM officers. She highlighted that some applications do not meet the eligibility criteria, citing factors such as non-Malaysian citizenship, family incomes exceeding the eligibility limit, and applicants with adult children who are employed, healthy, and able to work or have alternative income sources like pensions or other assistance.

However, Nancy emphasized that JKM offers multiple channels for application submissions, including online platforms, to ensure that aid reaches those who are genuinely eligible.