Sabah committed to strengthening people's wellbeing agenda, says Hajiji
TUARAN (May 16): The State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure that the people of Sabah are not left behind in the country's social development progress.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor underscored that the wellbeing of the people continues to be a key agenda under the state's administration.
He said the State Government has allocated RM162.42 million this year to the Ministry of Community Development and People's Wellbeing Sabah and its agencies to implement a wide range of social programmes that directly benefit the people.
'This year, the government has channelled RM76.29 million to assist persons with disabilities (OKU), senior citizens, single mothers, children and orphans through various targeted aid schemes.
'Meanwhile, RM956,000 has also been allocated for people's wellbeing programmes, covering aspects such as family development, consumer education, women's empowerment and healthy living,' he said when officiating the Kembara Kasih 2025 Programme by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) and the launch of the Mobile Local Social Support Centre (PSSS) in Tuaran on Friday.
In addition, Hajiji said RM550,000 was channelled to the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) Sabah to support efforts to curb drug abuse, particularly among school students.
He also expressed his appreciation to the Federal Government, especially KPWKM, for extending various forms of aid and services to the people of Sabah.
This includes RM300,000 in flood relief aid for Sabah in 2025 through the National Welfare Foundation (YKN) and RM2.1 million allocated to support the needs of 384 Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) during flood disasters statewide.
According to him, RM330 million under the Federal Government's 2025 Financial Assistance Programme has been allocated for Sabah, with RM315 million distributed to 45,572 aid recipients under the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
'This effort reflects the Federal Government's serious attention to the wellbeing of the people of Sabah and its readiness to further strengthen the social safety net,' he said.
Touching on the launch of the mobile PSSS, Hajiji described the initiative as a timely response to the increasingly concerning mental health crisis across the country, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He cited a report by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) which revealed that more than five million Malaysians suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress, including a rise in suicide cases.
'This mobile PSSS is expected to reach rural communities and provide much-needed psychosocial support, including for those affected by divorce, abuse, unemployment and financial hardship,' he said.
Hajiji also called on the public, especially those located along the KPWKM 2025 Kembara Kasih route, to attend and make full use of the range of services offered throughout the programme.
The KPWKM 2025 Kembara Kasih programme involves two main zones in Sabah namely Tuaran, Papar and Penampang (Zone 1); and Lahad Datu, Kunak and Tawau (Zone 2). It brings together various government agencies on the ground to deliver comprehensive welfare services to the people.
Hajiji expressed hope that such programmes would continue and be expanded to other areas in the future as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the wellbeing of the people.
Present at the KPWKM 2025 Kembara Kasih Convoy was the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
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