Refering to the statement by the minister below, i don’t think having TV or sofa set can disqualify a family from receiving aid. That is not a good way to evaluate a family’s needs. Even foreigner settlements boasts of astro dish, waja cars, and air-cond units. A TV can be obtained free from donors or bought second hand for few hundred ringgits. It could have been hand-me-downs from relatives/siblings. Same with sofa/fridge etc. This are basic needs, so I think in this age, the criteria should be upgraded.
Even support from family member is not strong reason. When family members having financial problem, they may stop contributing or give less.
I think the criteria should be simple – earn RM720 or less and you will get some welfare money. By having extra cash, the families can plan for better things.
What happened to plan to raise the poverty bar? I think many sane Malaysians know that a family can’t live with even RM1500 per month, especially in urban areas. Rent, transportation, food, schooling, utilities, medical costs and such, is very high.
BTW, one can call Talian Nur to highlight any poor family in your area. The number is 15999.
TAIPING: Some 52,000 poverty stricken families have successfully applied for welfare aid under Projek Cari programme of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said each family would receive RM100 to RM450 a month.
She said some 40,000 applications received since the programme started in October were rejected because they did not fulfil certain conditions.
“One of the criteria is that household income cannot exceed RM720 a month,” she told reporters after visiting the homes of several poor families yesterday.
Others were rejected because the applicants still had the support from family members and their homes enjoyed facilities such as television and sofa sets.
The Government had so far allocated RM850mil to the ministry for the aid.
Dr Ng stressed that families should not survive solely on the welfare aid as the ministry could only help with the basics necessities.
Citing fisherman Mohd Idrus Mohd Rashid, whose dilapidated home she visited, she said the father of five must show commitment and take advantage of the many government schemes to aid the poor.