By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, July 5 — New applications for the Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selangor (Bingkas) welfare initiative are now open for households with incomes below RM5,000.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said RM108 million has been allocated for the programme, which aims to support 30,000 recipients.
“This makes Bingkas one of the largest financial aid initiatives implemented by Selangor compared with other states in Malaysia.
“The continuation of the programme is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call to eradicate hardcore poverty in the nation.
“It also contributes to the macro indicators of the First Selangor Plan by reducing relative poverty in Selangor,” she said during a press conference at the State Secretariat Building here today.
The programme offers each recipient RM300 monthly for two years to purchase basic items such as food, medical supplies, and education equipment.
Bingkas was introduced in 2018 to alleviate Selangor residents’ financial burden.
Anfaal said the new criteria include a few improvements, including raising the maximum household income level from below RM3,000 to below RM5,000.
“The improvement addresses the rise in mid-income earners of RM3,000 and aims to better support those in greater need,” she said.
Among other changes, the programme’s aid disbursement duration has been extended from one year to two years, and applicant families must have at least two dependents under 18 years old. Previously, the requirement was for families to have at least one dependent under 18 years old.
Other requirements include being a Malaysian citizen, a registered Selangor voter, and either having been born in Selangor or lived in Selangor for over 10 years.
Applications can be made on the SELangkah app or the Bingkas website from 3pm today.
The application deadline is August 15. For queries, call the Selcare hotline at 1-800-226-600 or email [email protected].
