JAKOA Allocates RM478,000 For STR Payments To Orang Asli In Gua Musang

GUA MUSANG, June 24 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan branch of the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) has allocated RM478,250 in Rahmah Cash Contributions (STR) to 974 Orang Asli recipients in the district.

JAKOA Kelantan and Terengganu deputy director Roslina Bun said the amount covered STR payments for recipients from phases one to four this year.

“From yesterday until today, STR payments were disbursed to the Orang Asli community from Pos Gob, Pos Simpor, Pos Bihai, Pos Belatim, Pos Tohoi, Pos Balar, Pos Brooke, Pos Hau, Pos Blau, Pos Hendrop and the Kuala Betis Resettlement Plan (RPS).

“JAKOA has obtained cooperation from Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), the Inland Revenue Board and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in tracking down recipients who have not received payments and subsequently handing over the cash at designated counters,” she said.

She said this to reporters during the Rahmah Cash Contribution Payment Programme at Dewan Bonda Yah, RPS Kuala Betis, today.

Roslina said members of the Orang Asli community without bank accounts or with inactive accounts are eligible to receive cash payments, with the highest amount so far reaching RM2,200 for a family with many dependants.

“We have also provided a counter to assist with the activation and registration of bank accounts so that the assistance can be credited directly into their respective accounts,” she said.

She said the initiative was implemented following a recommendation from BNM to help the Orang Asli community manage their finances more effectively.

--BERNAMA