‘Lundu in need of more Welfare Dept officers’
KUCHING: The state Welfare Department lacks officers to provide comprehensive services in Lundu, said Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
She said at present, there are only two officers from the department serving the community in Lundu.
“I believe there are still many people in need who have not been helped, especially in areas that are difficult for the department to reach.
“Given the large areas that Lundu district covers – all the way up to Sematan, our two officers are not able to provide comprehensive services,” she said at a pre- Aidilfitri programme in Lundu yesterday.
The text of her speech was read by her deputy minister Datuk Rosey Yunus. Fatimah said volunteers would be required to
help resolve the lack of manpower faced by the department.
According to her, volunteers would be expected to assist people who need to apply for the monthly assistance from the department.
She also appealed to local community leaders to help refer those who need monthly welfare assistance to the department.
“The department will also continue its outreach programme to deliver comprehensive welfare services and assistance to those in need,” she said.
On yesterday’s event, Fatimah said the Welfare Department had set aside RM1,662,400 for distribution to a total of 16,624 recipients throughout the state.
Recipients were given cash assistance of RM100 each and a hamper worth RM250 sponsored by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).
Fatimah thanked Petronas for co-organising the programme by sponsoring the hampers.
“Petronas is our strategic partner in carrying out joint responsibilities and helping the department achieve the objectives of the programme,” she said.
Additionally, she said Petronas has collaborated with the department in organising similar programmes to help make a positive impact on the needy during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year, Gawai Dayak and Deepavali.