The Malaysian Insight

MOTHERS want the Selangor government to expand its newest aid programme, “KISS” to cover more families, as the inaugural initiative received three times the number of applications that has been budgeted.

‘KISS’ whose Bahasa Malaysia acronym stands for Smart Selangor Mother’s Love’ scheme provides RM200 to buy basic food such as cooking oil and rice each month to mothers whose household incomes are below RM2,000 per month.

The Selangor government has earmarked RM72 million for the programme which was announced in the state’s 2018 budget.

This means Selangor can only afford to provide for 30,000 mothers in 2018.

Dr Daroyah Alwi, the state executive councillor who oversees the scheme, said the state has received about 100,000 applications so far.

“We have 56 state constituencies and each received at least 1,000 applications. My own office has received 2,000 applications,” said the Sementa state assemblyman.

“We have received 100,000 requests but our allocation is only for 30,000 households,” said Daroyah, whose portfolio includes Health, Welfare, Women and Family affairs.

The popularity of the programme and its stringent conditions have prompted many Selangor residents to ask that either its conditions be relaxed or that the state government expands it to benefit more recipients.

Mother of six, Nur Aziela Ismail, 40, had applied for the programme in the Batu Caves constituency but fears that she may not be chosen.

“I do not have a stable income. I know there were many applications in Batu Caves. I also received aid from zakat (Islamic tithes board).

“I hope my application is accepted as the aid is helpful for me to afford basic necessities,” Nur Aziela told The Malaysian Insight.

“Things are so expensive now. Fish is expensive and my family has to eat sparingly,” said the Gombak resident.

Daroyah said Batu Caves was among the top three constituencies which received the most applications. The first was Sungai Panjang, followed by Semenyih.

Giving the most needy

Mothers who qualify for KISS will receive RM200 worth of basic goods each month throughout 2018. 

To qualify, mothers must be residents of Selangor whose household incomes are below RM2,000 per month and whose children are below 21-years-old.

Another mother, Amila Daud feels the RM2,000 monthly income requirement is far too low for a programme targeted at residents in urban areas where living costs are high.

“The cost of living in Selangor is high. I hope that Selangor can increase the ceiling to RM3,000 as families with this income also feel squeezed,” said Amila who had thought of applying for KISS.

“I didn’t apply because I knew I would not get it. Even BR1M has different income brackets for different amounts of aid,” she said referring to the federal government’s People’s Aid Scheme.  

Daroyah understands the disappointment of many applicants but said the state had to prioritise helping the most-needy of its residents.

“Many applicants who earn above RM2,000 also applied because they feel they would qualify. But we have to set it at 30,000 because we only have RM72 million for the programme.   

According to the Statistics Department, 1.7% or roughly 105,000 of Selangor’s 6.2 million residents earn below RM2,000 a month.

These are people are like Nazira Misdin, who has three children with her mechanic husband.

“My children are still in school and my husband repairs motorcycles from our home. His income is not consistent. We really need this aid and I hope I get it.

“I hope the programme will be continued next year,” said the Sungai Pelek, Sepang resident. – January 21, 2018.