THE Penang government is currently reviewing the possibility of adjusting the assistance provided to Penangites under the i-Sejahtera welfare programme.
Speaking to reporters after attending an event at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that no decision has been made at this point.
“We are still discussing the matter as we are examining various mechanisms to determine the way forward.
“We also need to assess whether the state can sustain the assistance, given the increasing number of registered recipients under the programme each year,” he said when asked by a reporter.
Chow added that the state is evaluating whether its finances can cope with the programme’s annual increasing expenditure.
“At the moment, we are waiting for a response from the state executive councillor in charge before the matter is brought to the state executive council (exco) meeting for further discussion,” he added.
Alternatively, Chow noted that the issue may be addressed during the upcoming State Legislative Assembly session if any state assemblymen raise the matter.
It was earlier reported in a Chinese vernacular daily that the state government is considering adjustments to the eligibility criteria for the programme.
The i-Sejahtera welfare programme includes assistance for senior citizens, single mothers, and disabled individuals, and disbursements under the Anak Emas fund.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi