BINTULU: More government-linked companies (GLCs), private firms and corporate foundations have been urged to partner with Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (YKN) to expand free temporary accommodation for families of patients undergoing treatment.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said stronger collaboration between the government and corporate sector would enable welfare assistance to reach more people, in line with the whole-of-society approach that promotes shared responsibility for community wellbeing.
She said the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) remains committed to strengthening the nation’s welfare agenda through policies, programmes and initiatives that directly benefit target groups, implemented via its agencies and strategic partnerships.
“One such initiative is Anjung Kasih, which is provided by YKN as free temporary accommodation for family members of patients receiving treatment at government hospitals.
“I would like to invite more GLCs, private companies, corporate foundations and capable organisations to work together with YKN to expand meaningful initiatives such as Anjung Kasih. I believe that the more parties come together, the more people in need we will be able to help, in line with the whole-of-society approach for the wellbeing of our communities,” she said this at the launch of Anjung Kasih Hospital Bintulu, which was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday.
Nancy said Anjung Kasih Hospital Bintulu was made possible through a strategic collaboration between YKN and Yayasan Bintulu Port, with full support from Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad through its corporate foundation.
She expressed appreciation for the partnership, saying it had enabled a former nurses’ quarters building to be upgraded into a more comfortable and conducive accommodation facility for patients’ family members.
“The collaboration proves that when the government and the corporate sector work hand in hand, more people will benefit,” she added.
She said the Bintulu facility is the 20th Anjung Kasih established by YKN at government hospitals nationwide.
The accommodation comprises 25 rooms, including one disability-friendly room, and can house up to 75 occupants at any one time.
It is also equipped with a living area, counselling room, activity space, pantry, surau, laundry area, toilets and other basic amenities to ensure the comfort of families during their stay, with all facilities provided free of charge.
Nancy said that since the Anjung Kasih initiative was introduced in 2006, a total of 132,535 family members of patients had registered and benefited from the facilities nationwide as of June 2026.
She said the achievement reflected YKN’s continued commitment to ensuring that patients’ families have access to proper accommodation while accompanying their loved ones receiving treatment at government hospitals.
In Sarawak, she noted that there are now four Anjung Kasih facilities, located at Sarawak General Hospital, Miri Hospital, Sibu Hospital and the newly launched facility at Bintulu Hospital.
