KPWKM will review JKM’s welfare application process following concerns about officer competency, especially for rural applicants without formal medical access.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will review the Social Welfare Department’s assistance application assessment process amid concerns about officer competency.
Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad acknowledged serious questions about whether assessments properly consider rural applicants’ circumstances, particularly those without access to formal medical treatment.
“This is a serious matter, which I hope JKM will look into again,” she told the Dewan Rakyat during the budget debate.
“Every application submitted must be carefully scrutinised and there should be no bureaucracy.”
Noraini was responding to Segamat MP R. Yuneswaran, who questioned frequent application rejections and whether assessing officers have medical backgrounds given rural residents’ reliance on traditional treatments.
JKM’s allocation increased to RM2.7 billion this year, up 12.83% from RM2.4 billion in 2024, enabling expanded eligibility criteria and strengthened assistance delivery.
Assistance rates increased across multiple categories including child support, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
Child assistance rose from RM150-RM200 to RM200-RM250 per person with a RM1,000 family maximum, while senior citizen aid increased from RM500 to RM600 monthly.
Disabled persons assistance increased from RM100-RM350 to RM150-RM500 minimum, with care assistance income eligibility rising from RM3,000 to RM5,000.
The disabled worker allowance income limit adjusted from RM1,500 to RM1,700 to accommodate more recipients.
Regarding the 1% employment target for persons with disabilities in the public sector, only 0.64% or 9,331 individuals had been employed as of June 30.
KPWKM itself filled 170 positions for persons with disabilities and remains committed to achieving the 1% target through collaboration with the Public Service Department.
The Dewan Rakyat approved RM4.19 billion in operating and development expenditure for the ministry under Budget 2026 following debate by 26 MPs.
Several MPs wore orange attire in solidarity with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed annually on November 25.
