One-off RM1,000 baby incentive: Give option to withdraw at 13

All Sarawakian children born from January 1 next year should be allowed to withdraw money from the government's one-off incentive of RM1, 000 by the age of 13 to lighten their parents' burden in sending them to secondary school.

Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the government has to provide alternative withdrawal option to ease the financial burden of parents, especially those in rural areas.

He added it was already a burden nowadays when one enters a new phase of education, like entering Form 1.

“As elected representatives, we also try to assist with whatever we have to encourage our people to continue with their education. We anticipate that, as cost of living increases, the demand for financial assistance will also increase.

“As such, I suggest that the Sarawak government consider an earlier withdrawal option for those who really need the money,” he said when contacted yesterday.

He added that going to secondary school might not be bothersome to some, but to the rural families especially those with more than one school-going children, it's a heavy burden.

Dennis also urged the government to consider encouraging parents who are better-off to deposit a matching amount into their children's account so that they (children) would have more disposable fund when they turned 18.

During the recently concluded State Legislative Assembly sitting, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, had announced that the Sarawak government would give a one-off RM1,000 incentive to every newborn child beginning Jan 1 next year irrespective of ethnicity, religious beliefs and social status.

The money could only be withdrawn when the child attains the age of 18 for his/ her education or as capital for business.