TATAU: A total of 516 welfare aid recipients celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Bintulu Division received special contributions through the Sejambak Kasih Programme in conjunction with this year's festive season.

Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the donations were among the initiatives of the Sarawak Government through the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) to help the underprivileged prepare for Aidilfitri.

According to her, of the total, some recipients were invited to attend a ceremony held in Tatau while the rest received assistance directly deposited into their respective accounts.

“For the year 2026, a total of 516 people celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri out of 3,423 recipients, which is the total number of recipients of monthly welfare assistance in Bintulu Division.

“Of that number, some recipients were invited to attend the ceremony in Tatau while the rest received assistance directly deposited into their respective accounts,” she said.

She said this when speaking at the Sejambak Kasih Hari Raya Aidilfitri Programme and the Breaking Fast Event with Leaders in Kariah Tatau in conjunction with the Month of Ramadan Al-Mubarak 1447 Hijrah which took place at the Tatau District Mosque on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Dato Sri Fatimah explained that eligibility to apply for JKM welfare assistance is based on household income.

According to her, a household income of RM1,198 or less is one of the main requirements for someone to be considered for assistance under various schemes such as Child Assistance, Elderly Assistance, Disabled Assistance (OKU) and Homeless Patient Assistance.

She added that for applications of Elderly Assistance, the department also assesses the level of support provided by children to parents even if they do not live together.

If the application is not successful at the initial stage, applicants are encouraged to appeal so that the application can be re-evaluated or considered under other schemes such as General Assistance.

Also present were Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai with his wife Datin Melia Gelen, Selangau Member for Parliament Edwin Banta, Jepak Assemblyman Iskandar Turkee, Chairman of the Tatau Khairat Islam Trust Board (LAKIT) Dato Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah, Tatau District Officer Calvin Ligong Bujang @ Endawie, Director of the Sarawak Women and Family Department Salmah Jobeli, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Asean Bintulu Fertilizer Sdn Bhd Lawai Jok, Chairman of the Tatau District New Mosque Management Committee Mohammad Rizal Julaihi and the Community Development Officer representing the Director of the Sarawak Social Welfare Department Jemat Kanchin. -UKASnews