KOTA KINABALU: July 20, 2026 — A total of 18,752 recipients in Kota Kinabalu have received various welfare assistance through the General Welfare Services Department (JPKA) as of June this year under eight assistance schemes provided by the state government.
Assistant Minister of Women, Health and Community Wellbeing, Datuk Rina Jainal, said this in response to a question from Ms Grace Lee Li Mei (Nominated Assemblywoman) during the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
According to Rina, the Elderly Assistance scheme recorded the highest number of recipients at 7,196, followed by the General Assistance Scheme (6,489), Care Assistance for Bedridden OKU, Bedridden Chronic Patients and Non-Bedridden Chronic Patients (1,538), Child Assistance (1,402), as well as several other schemes including for orphans, persons with disabilities (OKU) and foster children.
“The State Government maintains welfare assistance rates between RM200 and RM350. The State Government’s readiness to increase the budget depends on the State Government’s financial position,” she said.
She said that for federal welfare assistance, any rate increase depends on allocations announced through the Federal Budget.
The state government, together with the federal government, also coordinates eligibility criteria based on the current Poverty Line Income (PLI) guidelines, namely from a Head of Household income of RM1,198 in 2025 to RM1,236 in 2026, and per capita income from RM322 to RM348.
The adjustment is expected to ensure that welfare assistance continues to be channelled to those truly in need, in line with changes in the cost of living and current poverty line thresholds.
