JKM distributes RM107 million in Perak

Perak Social Welfare Department (JKM) has distributed RM107 million in financial aid to over 48,000 eligible recipients in the state this year. State Industry, Investment, Entrepreneur Development, Tourism, Welfare and Women Affairs Committee Chairman Datuk Hamidah Osman said of the total, RM88 million were allocated by the federal government for 35,840 recipients. "The remaining RM19 million were allocated by the state government for 12,322 recipients of the monthly welfare allowance," she said when replying to V. Sivakumar (DAP-Tronoh) in the state assembly sitting here Wednesday. She said this was a proof of the federal and state government's concerns for the underprivileged. She also explained that 50 percent of the applications for the financial aid had to be rejected for not meeting the required criteria.