Sabah govt committed to strengthening people's well-being, says Hajiji
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that social wellbeing remains a core priority of the state administration, with substantial allocations set aside to support vulnerable groups.
"For this year alone, RM162.42mil has been allocated to the Ministry of Community Development and People's Wellbeing and its related agencies to carry out various programmes directly benefiting the people.
"Of this amount, RM76.29mil is being channelled towards supporting persons with disabilities, senior citizens, single mothers, children, and orphans through targeted assistance schemes," he said.
Speaking at the Kembara Kasih KPWKM 2025 and the Mobile One-Stop Social Support Centre (PSSS) launch at Padang Astaka in Tuaran on Friday (May 16), Hajiji said an additional RM956,000 has also been allocated for wellbeing programmes focusing on family development, consumer rights, women's empowerment, and healthy lifestyles.
He also revealed that RM550,000 has been allocated to the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) Sabah to address drug abuse, particularly among students.
He thanked the Federal Government, particularly the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, for its continued assistance to the people of Sabah.
This includes RM300,000 in flood relief aid for Sabah in 2025 from the National Welfare Foundation and RM2.1mil for the operation of 384 Temporary Evacuation Centres during flood emergencies.
A further RM330mil under the Federal Government's 2025 Financial Assistance Programme has also been earmarked for Sabah, with RM315mil already distributed to 45,572 recipients via the Department of Social Welfare.
'This clearly reflects the Federal Government's commitment to the well-being of Sabahans and its determination to strengthen the social safety net,' Hajiji said.
He also welcomed the launch of the Mobile PSSS initiative, describing it as timely amid the nation's growing mental health challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Quoting a Health Ministry report, he said over five million Malaysians are struggling with depression, anxiety and stress, with suicide cases on the rise.
'This mobile unit is expected to reach rural communities, offering much-needed psychosocial support, especially for individuals dealing with divorce, abuse, unemployment, and financial hardship.'
Hajiji encouraged residents, particularly those along the Kembara Kasih 2025 route, to attend and take full advantage of the services offered.
The initiative covers two main zones in Sabah, namely Tuaran, Papar, and Penampang under Zone 1, and Zone 2 covers Lahad Datu, Kunak, and Tawau, bringing together various government agencies to provide holistic welfare support.
He also expressed hope that such programmes would continue and be extended to other districts in the future.
Also present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
BAS.MY Medik service to aid mobility-limited passengers in Malaysia
KANGAR: The Transport Ministry is set to launch Medik, a new service under the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme, designed to assist passengers with limited mobility. Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that operators will provide dedicated vans for wheelchair users and those needing transport to medical facilities. 'The Medik service will be offered at an affordable fare,' Loke said during the SBST Kangar launch, attended by Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli. He highlighted the financial burden faced by patients, particularly dialysis patients who require frequent trips. 'Taking a taxi to and from the centre can cost RM20 to RM30 per trip, which is a heavy burden. With Medik, the van will pick them up from home and take them directly to the treatment centre at a much lower fare,' Loke explained. The Federal government has allocated RM39.7 million over five years to sustain Kangar operations, aiming to improve public transport accessibility. Currently, the service covers nine routes, including a cross-border link to Alor Setar, Kedah. Loke noted a decline in ridership post-pandemic, urging operators to boost promotions. 'Before COVID-19, SBST Kangar recorded 30,000 monthly passengers. Now, it's just 12,071. Operators must engage all community segments to restore pre-pandemic levels,' he said. - Bernama
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Transport Ministry to roll out Bas.My Medik service for patients with mobility challenges
KANGAR: The Transport Ministry will soon introduce a new service, Medik, under the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme to provide accessible transport for passengers with limited mobility. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the initiative will require operators to provide at least one dedicated van to serve passengers using wheelchairs or travelling to clinics or dialysis centres. "The Medik service will be offered at an affordable fare," Loke said at the launch of the SBST Kangar service today, with Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli. He noted that transportation remains a challenge for many patients, particularly those who require frequent medical treatment. "For example, dialysis patients typically need to travel three times a week. Taking a taxi to and from the centre can cost RM20 to RM30 per trip, which is a heavy burden. "With Medik, the van will pick them up from home and take them directly to the treatment centre at a much lower fare. This service will be introduced by bus operators soon," he said. Loke said the Federal government has allocated RM39.7 million over five years to support the continued operation of Kangar, to enhance public transport access and improve the well-being of residents. The service in Kangar currently operates nine routes, including a cross-border link to Alor Star, Kedah, which should be fully utilised by the public, he added. "Before the Covid-19 pandemic, SBST Kangar recorded a monthly ridership of around 30,000 passengers from 2016 to 2019. However, for the first half of 2025, the monthly average has dropped to just 12,071 passengers," he said. Loke believes the service has room for significant growth and issued a challenge to Kangar operators to restore pre-pandemic ridership levels. "To achieve this, operators must step up promotional efforts and actively engage all segments of the community in Kangar and across Perlis," he said. – BERNAMA
Barnama
13 hours ago
- Barnama
Transport Ministry To Roll Out BAS.MY Medik Soon For Passengers With Limited Mobility
KANGAR, July 28 — The Transport Ministry will soon introduce a new service, Medik, under the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme to provide accessible transport for passengers with limited mobility. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the initiative will require operators to provide at least one dedicated van to serve passengers using wheelchairs or travelling to clinics or dialysis centres. 'The Medik service will be offered at an affordable fare,' Loke said at the launch of the SBST Kangar service today, with Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli. He noted that transportation remains a challenge for many patients, particularly those who require frequent medical treatment. 'For example, dialysis patients typically need to travel three times a week. Taking a taxi to and from the centre can cost RM20 to RM30 per trip, which is a heavy burden. 'With Medik, the van will pick them up from home and take them directly to the treatment centre at a much lower fare. This service will be introduced by bus operators soon,' he said. Loke said the Federal government has allocated RM39.7 million over five years to support the continued operation of Kangar, to enhance public transport access and improve the well-being of residents. The service in Kangar currently operates nine routes, including a cross-border link to Alor Setar, Kedah, which should be fully utilised by the public, he added. 'Before the COVID-19 pandemic, SBST Kangar recorded a monthly ridership of around 30,000 passengers from 2016 to 2019. However, for the first half of 2025, the monthly average has dropped to just 12,071 passengers,' he said.
