SIBU (March 29): The Pelawan Service Centre has distributed a total of RM105,100 in incentives to newlyweds, newborns and students from June to December last year, said Pelawan assemblyman Datuk Michael Tiang.
The Sarawak Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government said the second phase of the incentive distribution had benefited 80 newlyweds, 192 newborns, and 25 students.
“For scholarship, we gave out RM300 to each student, for newlyweds – each couple received RM500 in incentive, while each newborn was given RM300,” he said.
Tiang was speaking during the Pelawan Service Centre’s education, newborn and newlyweds incentives dinner at a leading hotel here last night (March 28).
Addressing the young newlywed couples, he expressed hope that the initiative would encourage marriage and provide support for those planning to start families.
He also highlighted a significant drop in the birth rate following the Covid-19 pandemic between 2021 and 2022.
“In 2021, we had an average of 40,000 (newborns), but by 2022, (the number) dropped by half,” he said.
Beyond birth rates, Tiang pointed out the growing elderly population in several states in the country, citing statistical data.
“Currently, Perak has the largest proportion of elderly folk at 8.9 per cent, followed by Kedah with an aging population of 7.9 per cent, Perlis 7.8 per cent, and Sarawak 7.5 per cent.
“Based on statistics, Sarawak will have the most proportion of elderly population by 2028,” he said.
-Agency
