KUCHING: In a significant step towards improving the delivery of welfare assistance, the federal government and the Sarawak government have officially merged their welfare aid systems under a single platform known as eBantuanJKM.
The integration is aimed at enhancing transparency, streamlining aid processes, and preventing misuse of public funds.
Federal Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, explained that although the eBantuanJKM system has been operational for 15 years, it had only recently been adopted in Sarawak.
Previously, both the federal and state governments operated separate welfare systems, which made coordination difficult and allowed room for exploitation.
“There were individuals who took advantage of the situation and manipulated the gaps between the two systems,” she said.
She told the media this after launching the JKM eBantuan System here today.
With both platforms now successfully integrated, Nancy assured that the new system is much more secure and efficient.
It allows for better coordination between federal and state agencies, reducing redundancy and preventing fraudulent claims.
“The system is now very robust and effective. It wasn’t difficult to integrate once we agreed to work together,” she added.
Nancy also revealed that actions have already been taken against those who previously abused the welfare system, with several individuals facing prosecution in court.
To ensure welfare aid reaches those most in need, particularly in rural and remote areas, she called on the cooperation of Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local community leaders.
She stressed the importance of these grassroots groups in identifying individuals and families in distress and guiding them to the nearest District Welfare Office (PKMD).
“I’ve reminded our welfare officers not to complicate the process. We are here to serve.
“People should feel welcome when seeking help not afraid or discouraged,” she further said.
As of May 2025, a total of 55,457 individuals in Sarawak have received aid amounting to RM123.78 million through the integrated system.
Of this, the federal government contributed RM108.19 million to 45,509 recipients, while the Sarawak Government provided RM15.60 million to 9,948 beneficiaries.
Looking ahead, Nancy also announced plans for a major system upgrade.
The ministry aims to launch Sistem Pengurusan Bantuan Kebajikan 2.0 (SPBK 2.0) by the end of 2026.
This next-generation platform will be fully digital and integrated with national data systems such as the Central Database Hub (PADU), eKasih (National Poverty Data Bank), and the Malaysia Government Data Exchange (MyGDX).
SPBK 2.0 will leverage cutting-edge technologies including cloud computing, automated alerts, and data analytics, aligning with the federal government’s MyDIGITAL agenda.
The objective is to improve real-time data verification and speed up the distribution of welfare assistance, ensuring help reaches those who need it most without delay.
