KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Approximately 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 said of the total, 267,036 recipients were men and 295,080 were women.
“According to JKM statistics, in 2022, 533,167 recipients received RM2.46 billion, while in 2023 the number of beneficiaries increased to 543,811 with an allocation of RM2.53 billion,” she said when replying to Jeli MP Zahari Kechik's query.
Regarding the ethnic composition of recipients up to August, Nancy said 316,471 were Malay, 92,749 (Chinese), 61,833 (Indian), 1,124 (Peninsular Native), 44,969 (Sabah Native), 39,398 (Sarawak Native), and 5,621 from other ethnic groups.
The largest age group of JKM beneficiaries were senior citizens aged 60 and above, comprising 248,831 recipients of Bantuan Warga Emas (BWE).
Responding to a supplementary query about vulnerable groups who are eligible but have not received aid, she said that JKM officers carefully assess every application through field investigations.
“Based on assessments and investigations by our officers, some applications do not meet eligibility criteria. Factors include applicants who are not Malaysian citizens, families with incomes above the eligibility limit, have adult children who are employed, healthy and able to work, or have alternative income sources such as pensions or other assistance,” Nancy said.
However, JKM provides multiple channels to facilitate applications, including online submissions, to ensure aid reaches those who are genuinely eligible.
