40.14% of babies born this year registered with EFS

The Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) ‘anak Sarawak’ babies born in the state from Jan 1 to April 25 this year has registered 49.14 percent, or 5,070, of 10,317 of the babies born during the period.

Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said road shows will be conducted this year to get more parents to register their children born this year for the EFS.

She said as announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg when tabling the 2019 Budget, EFS incentive of RM1,000 will be effective Jan 1 this year for babies born to parents from Sarawak who hold MyKad with K status.

“EFS is managed by Bank Islam and it can only be utilised after the children reach 18 years of age. If there is any death to the baby, the next of kin can withdraw the EFS for funeral purposes.

“The purpose of the EFS is to assist the child when pursuing further studies, starting a career or as capital to start small business,” she said in her ministerial winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.

She explained that for births in Sarawak, EFS registration can be made at all 52 National Registration Department (NRD) offices throughout Sarawak.

“For births outside Sarawak, EFS registration must be submitted to the Sarawak NRD headquarters.

“For those born outside the country, the births must be registered at the Malaysian Embassy offices to confirm their Malaysian citizenship before their application is submitted to the Sarawak NRD headquarters,” she added.