KUALA LUMPUR – The month-long period to process an application filed by an individual seeking government aid is appropriate, according to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said this is due to the amount of work involved in investigating a case and coming up with a report.
“The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has a client charter that provides that it must update on the status of a person’s application within 30 days from the date a complete application is filed.
“During this period, the officer in charge of the case will investigate and prepare a report before it is submitted to the District Social Welfare Officer (PMKD) for approval.
“This (30-day) period is relevant, taking into account the house visitation to confirm the applicant’s details and to complete the investigation report,” she said in a written parliamentary reply.
Nancy said during this period, should an applicant need urgent assistance while waiting for the completion of the whole process, the PMKD could still grant urgent approval through an emergency fund.
She added that SWD consistently ensures that its service delivery can be improved, including by encouraging applications to be done online and the development of a new, more efficient welfare aid system.
Nancy was responding to Riduan Rubin (Tenom-Independent) who wanted to know the government’s plan to improve its aid application system, noting that some cases took too long to gain approval despite fulfilling all criteria.
Separately, Nancy said the assistance given out by her ministry is not meant to cover a person’s full cost of living, but rather to lessen the individual’s financial burden.
“The financial aid prepared by the ministry via SWD is to temporarily reduce the burden faced by target groups until they are able to get out of the cycle of poverty and live independently.” – The Vibes, April 9, 2023
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