KUALA LUMPUR: The improved welfare assistance allocated in the 2021 Budget has been met with approval from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as welfare home operators.
They believe that the funds would massively benefit the recipients who are in dire need of assistance, and that the introduction of allocations for domestic violence survivors was timely.
Melaka Women in Action (WIM) president Rachel Samuel said the RM21 million allocated for shelters for survivors of domestic violence was a step in the right direction.
"With the negative impact the pandemic has had on the lives of those in the B40 and M40 groups, domestic violence will definitely soar as financial stress takes a toll on people.
"It is important, however, to ensure survivors are given proper counselling and equipped with skills to become economically independent as this would ensure they have a more stable life."
Tan Jin Hao, a representative of the Malaysian Association for the Welfare of Mentally Challenged Children, had nothing but praise for the welfare assistance allocations.
"We rely on public crowd, funding and donations raised from our programmes and donation drives.
"The current Conditional Movement Control Order has admittedly made it difficult for us to continue with our programmes.
"And if we were to add on this assistance, coupled with the previous allocation in the 2020 Budget, it comes up to quite a high amount of financial assistance.
"We are thankful for the allocation, as it really helps us a lot, especially during these trying times," he said.
Michael Jevasegaran from Malaysia Lotus Charity Care Centre said more allocations would always be welcomed.
"This is because welfare homes cater not only to senior citizens or the underprivileged, but also single mothers and ex-convicts.
"We need the government's support to continue operating," he said.
Suria Welfare Foundation chairman James Ho said the government should ensure that the assistance reaches NGOs which work on the ground.