KUCHING: A total of 3,081 individuals celebrating Chinese New Year in 2025 will receive assistance under the Sejambak Kasih programme, aimed at alleviating financial burdens and bringing festive cheer to underprivileged families.
Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for low-income families, particularly during festive seasons.
“As part of our ongoing efforts, we aim to ease the financial strain faced by the Chinese community while ensuring they can enjoy the celebrations with dignity and joy,” she said during the Sejambak Kasih Chinese New Year event here on Wednesday (Jan 22).
She added that out of 10,535 monthly welfare aid recipients in Kuching, 3,081 of them are Chinese New Year celebrants. For Wednesday’s event, 150 recipients were invited to receive cash assistance of RM100 along with a food hamper worth RM80.
She also highlighted that in 2024, the Sarawak Department of Social Welfare (JKMS) disbursed RM258.49 million to assist 56,044 recipients across the state through its monthly welfare aid programme.
“In Kuching alone, the Social Welfare Office allocated RM50.02 million to support 10,282 recipients, demonstrating the government’s steadfast efforts to provide consistent financial assistance to those in need,” she said.
This year’s Sejambak Kasih event also included the distribution of additional support, such as the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) card and the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC), which provide various benefits and privileges to recipients.
Furthermore, six representatives of families affected by a devastating house fire at Taman Kenyalang Park on Jan 13 were also present at the event. The fire destroyed six homes, affecting 18 individuals.
She said the department had provided immediate aid worth RM5,800, consisting of food supplies and kitchen essentials.
Additionally, further disaster relief assistance, including cash aid, daily necessities, school supplies, and construction materials amounting to RM49,300 had been approved for distribution to the victims.