KUCHING: Assistance for people with disabilities (PWD) has received the largest allocation under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s 2027 Budget.
Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said RM1.5 billion of the RM3.3 billion allocated to the ministry would go towards assistance for PWD, benefiting more than 300,000 recipients.
“Among the improvements introduced is an increase in the allowance for bedridden PWD and chronically ill patients from RM500 to RM600 a month.
“Eligibility for the Disabled Workers’ Allowance has also been expanded to individuals earning up to RM2,000 to ensure more people benefit from government assistance,” she said in her speech at the ministry’s Santun Kasih 2026 event here today.
Nancy said Budget 2027 provided an important direction for strengthening welfare, social protection and the empowerment of the people, particularly the ministry’s target groups.
She said the government had also allocated RM1.3 billion for elderly assistance and the care sector, which was expected to benefit nearly 200,000 recipients.
“Besides financial assistance, the government plans to establish two National Integrated Care Centres of Excellence (NICE) in Sarawak and Penang to strengthen facilities and care services for senior citizens.
“The service tax rate for elderly care services will also be reduced from eight to six per cent effective Jan 1, 2027,” she said.
Assistance for children would also be increased to RM250 a month for those aged six and below, and RM200 a month for those aged between seven and 18.
She said the move was aimed at strengthening support for families in meeting basic needs while safeguarding children’s development.
Nancy said women’s empowerment would also be prioritised through the RM200 million Geran Sejahtera Madani grant, targeting 40,000 recipients, particularly to help them obtain equipment and training to generate income.
“Other measures include expanding tax relief for postnatal care services and improving maternity leave facilities for civil servants to support mothers’ well-being,” she said.
The Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAi) would also be expanded to benefit 2,000 couples, alongside the expansion of men’s wellness services by the National Population and Family Development Board.
“All these initiatives complement the country’s care economy agenda and strengthen the implementation of the Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026-2030.
“The ministry is committed to ensuring every allocation benefits the people, while expanding access to quality and affordable care services, strengthening support for families and creating economic and employment opportunities in the sector,” she said.