POVERTY Line Income (PGK) is not the only measure for aid distribution by the Social Welfare Department (JKM), says the Women, Family and Community Development Minister.
Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said other factors are also considered, such as family dependents, chronic health problems, need for special care, psycho-social issues and more.
“Many other factors must be considered to ensure eligibility and necessity to access aid from the government.
“The welfare assistance provided through JKM is based on eligibility and need (means-tested),” she said during the oral question time in response to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar), who asked whether the ministry planned to raise the household income ceiling for applicants seeking JKM assistance.
She said that since January 2024, JKM referred to an updated Poverty Line Income (PGK 2022), which has the threshold value of RM1,198.
“Each case is handled by taking into account the real situation and a broader picture such as economic factors, mobility (OKU, bedridden patients) and so on; and not just by looking at their income alone,” she said.
Nancy also said that there are no plans to have a one-stop centre for welfare services.
“There are no such plans at the moment.
“We are aware that, in addition to JKM, zakat and other entities are also providing assistance,” she said in response to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq who asked whether the government was considering setting up a one-stop centre for welfare services to streamline and avoid overlap in assistance.
She added that all audits and monitoring for aid distribution under the department is done internally.
“We have a group that monitors and assesses those who may not need to receive the aid anymore,” she said.
“This is part of our administrative system and there is no specific committee, and we constantly monitor for new updates.
“For example, some recipients no longer need aid, or there have been cases where the recipients have passed away but are still receiving aid,” she said in response to a supplementary question from Kesavan Subramaniam (PH-Sungai Siput) who asked the ministry to set up a special committee to monitor the leakage of aid.
