Belanjawan 2027: JKM mohon naik kadar bantuan penjaga pesakit terlantar

Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) is seeking an increase in the monthly allowance of RM500 for hospital caregivers who are deployed to care for vulnerable patients in Malaysia's 2027 budget. Che Murad Sayang Ramjan, Deputy Director General, stated that currently, these caregivers receive RM500 per month, but there is a request to raise the amount to alleviate the burden of their duties.

He expressed this to Bernama and RTM following the 2026 JKM Volunteer Convention, which took place earlier. Che Murad also mentioned that JKM is proposing funding to strengthen efforts to support disadvantaged individuals in society, as the country faces fiscal constraints, but they believe that providing care to disadvantaged groups is crucial.

He emphasized that volunteer workers play a vital role in not only assisting the department during disasters but also acting as the eyes and ears of the government in identifying community needs and challenges. The information gathered by volunteers helps JKM map out plans and implement welfare programs. As of July 2026, there are 7,294 registered JKM volunteers, comprising 2,008 males and 5,286 females, predominantly aged between 40 and 60 years.

Che Murad highlighted that these volunteers are equally important to JKM, as they complement the agency without financial support and remain ready to respond to any situation in society. The 2026 JKM Volunteer Convention served as a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences among agencies and non-governmental organizations to improve service delivery to the elderly population.

During the event, Che Murad acknowledged recipients of the JKM Volunteer Excellence Award and Inspiration Award at the National level, as well as the Best JKM Volunteer and Inspiration Award at the State level, recognizing their commitment to sacrificing and rendering service to society.