KUCHING — The Ministry of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing (KPWK) has recorded significant achievements in strengthening community welfare and empowering families across Sarawak, while 41 officers from the ministry and its agencies were honoured with the Excellent Service Awards (APC) 2024 on Wednesday.
Sarawak Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said the success of KPWK’s policies and programmes reflects the state government’s strong commitment to improving the quality of life for women, children, families, and the elderly.
Among the ministry’s key initiatives are the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS), which has opened over 139,000 accounts for newborn babies since 2019 with allocations amounting to RM139 million, and the Maternity Assistance (BIB), which has benefited 87,000 mothers with RM39 million disbursed.
She also highlighted the Early Childhood Education and Care Fee Subsidy Programme, introduced in 2023, which supports 185 institutions with allocations of RM2.5 million, as well as the Special Annual Grant 2025 worth RM10.58 million, benefitting over 2,000 early education institutions.
In terms of welfare, the Sejambak Kasih Programme has channelled RM5.6 million in festive aid, while the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) has expanded benefits to seniors, with more than 333,000 cards issued and RM70.7 million in death benefits provided since 2020.
For women empowerment, the Sarawak Women’s Household Head Assistance (KIRWaS) has provided business capital to nearly 1,900 women, earning national recognition with a Silver Project Award at the Social Synergy Congress 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
The Social Development Council (MPS) also carried out over 600 social intervention programmes in 2024, supporting low-income families and strengthening community cooperation.
At the ceremony, 41 officers received APC recognition, including eight from KPWK, 27 from the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS), and six from the Sarawak Women and Family Department (JWKS). The event also honoured three retiring officers and two who transferred to other departments.
Also, present were Deputy Minister of Women and Children Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister of Community Wellbeing Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, Permanent Secretary Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua, JKMS Director, and JWKS Director Salmah Jobeli.
