72.3% SUCCESS RATE, For Social Welfare Applications through Program Mesra Rakyat

Datuk Dr Subramaniam presenting welfare grants. On his right is Tuan Ahmad bin Rashid (Social Welfare) and on the left is Mr Ananthan Coordinator of Lunas area and MIC Kedah State Chairman

SITF Chairman, Datuk Dr Subramaniam announced that through Program Mesra Rakayt 72.3% of social welfare cases were solved. This he announced during a cash presentation ceremony at Hotel Sri Malaysia yesterday (Jan 31, 2011)

One positive outcome of Program Mesra Rakyat cases is the increased number of Indians who were successful in securing welfare assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and being channeled to capacity building programs through Program AZAM.

Program Mesra Welfare Cases

A total of 2, 236 cases were received last year via six grassroots programs held at Ijok (146 cases), Lunas (844 cases), Sepang (357 cases), Perai (386 cases), Sg Siput (409 cases) and Batu Anan, Segamat (94 cases). Of these :-

• 167 (7.5%) already approved cases
• 551 (24.6%) newly approved cases as incomes are below RM750
• 898 (40.2%) approved for Azman program as incomes are above RM750 but below RM1,500
• 385 (17.2%) rejected as incomes above RM1,500
• 235 (10.5%) still be processed or unable to be identified

Moving on beyond welfare

Datuk Dr Subramaniam acknowledged the hard work and good cooperation from the officials from the Department of Social Welfare. He also called on community groups and political leaders to focus attention on getting needy people into ‘productive welfare’ through the Azman program where the focus is towards capacity building through empowering ordinary people to enlarge their household income.

The relevant agencies have all agreed to cooperate with the Taskforce and community groups but one big hurdle is the mindset of the needy who only want welfare and handouts. There is need for cash assistance for those who really cannot work but the focus must be towards building the capacity and capability for people to work or become economically active.

The way forward is through programs which will empowerment our people through micro business and loans or even through skills training to value add their current opportunities to create wealth. The Minister encouraged the community to move beyond welfare.

The Taskforce will work closely with the NKRA-LIH Team at Pemandu who are responsible along with the Ministry of Women and Family Development to enlarge the opportunities for the poor and low income families to other programs available through Federal government agencies. The secretariat will seek to enhance and enlarge opportunities for these initiatives.

Lunas, Kulim successful welfare program

Datuk Dr Subramanian acknowledged that in Lunas Kulim, the Indian community had also been very successful to accessing the assistance of social welfare. A total of 204 people secured monthly grants totaling RM53,650. Cash assistance from the department was distributed in the special program organized by the Tasforce.

In September 25, 2010 the Program Mesra Rakyat was held at Lunas in Kulim during which time 844 people had come forward and requested for welfare assistance. Department of Social Welfare officers visited every individual/family and after a case review and field visit approved, 30.5% or 257 cases (figure also includes those from outside the district who applied through the Lunas program)

Lesson Learnt

The Taskforce clearly acknowledges the close cooperation between the Department of social welfare, local community and the Taskforce. It is clear that access and social inclusion has been enhanced with the agency going to the ground and meeting the people.

Minister together with Kulim Social welfare officers.
On his left is Puan Rohana Yusuff, Kulim Social Welfare officer

The Taskforce also managed to monitor the applications and ensuring a higher success rate. It also had established a smart working partnership with local community leaders including the political leaders from MIC and local community leaders from NGOs

The challenge ahead is how to assist the community in mindset change by empowering them to move beyond welfare grants which is only a maximum of about RM300 into better employment opportunities or through self employment in micro business through business training and access to micro credit.

This second level of intervention requires systematic engagement and organized social preparation, capacity building and literally a ‘hand holding process’. It needs to be done and therefore we must have the vision, determination and perseverance to move our community from welfare to socio-economic empowerment.