KUCHING: Proactive efforts to identify individuals who have yet to receive welfare assistance must be strengthened at the community level to ensure no one is left out.

Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato’ Sri Nancy Shukri, said some eligible individuals have yet to be registered in the Social Welfare Department (JKM) assistance system.

She said the constraints require active involvement from community leaders, local leaders and NGOs to help identify the target groups.

“I urge community leaders in villages to look out for those around them, as there are still residents in need who have yet to receive assistance.

“Therefore, I urge them to help inform the nearest Social Welfare Department (JKM) office. JKM offices are available in every district.

“This is how we can assist, as we are not present in every home and may not know the actual situation,” she added.

“That is why the role of village leaders, whether political leaders, NGOs or community heads is crucial in channelling information to the Social Welfare Department (JKM) so that assistance can be provided.

“They will conduct investigations and subsequently manage the application process,” she opined.

The Santubong Member of Parliament said this when met after a Ziarah Kasih session at Kampung Tabuan Lot on Thursday, where assistance were distributed to three recipients, including one who had never received any aid before.

During the visit, each recipient received RM500 from the Santubong Parliamentary Office, RM300 from the National Welfare Foundation (YKN), as well as two wheelchairs and food baskets in conjunction with Aidilfitri.

Dato’ Sri Nancy also highlighted that reaching out to those left behind is not the sole responsibility of government agencies only as it calls for the local community to step forward and provide information in a timely and precise manner.

At the same time, she said that as of January 2026, a total of 556,521 aid cases had been distributed nationwide, with allocations amounting to RM252 million.

She said that of the total, 165,944 recipients were elderly, while 251,132 were persons with disabilities (PWDs). -UKASnews

Prepared by: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Shahril Haqim
Translator: Suhaila AW