The Melaka government has increased its welfare budget to RM78.67 million this year, continuing a trend of annual growth in social assistance spending

MELAKA: The Melaka government has allocated RM78.67 million this year for various community welfare programmes, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said.

He said that this year’s allocation marked an increase of RM1.71 million over the RM76.96 million earmarked for last year’s programmes.

“In 2024, the state has allocated RM66.07 million for welfare and the increase has been consistent every year to ensure that no group is left out of the state’s development process.

“Each ringgit of assistance is a symbol of the state government’s commitment and concern to ensure that all citizens, irrespective of race, religion or background, enjoy development and welfare benefits in a fair and equitable manner,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the Melaka 2026 Chinese New Year Open House at Dataran Klebang here, which was also attended by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, last night.

Meanwhile, Ab Rauf said that the Chinese New Year celebration was not just an annual event, but a platform to strengthen unity and foster closer relations among various races in the state.

He said that Melaka, currently home to about 1.05 million people comprising 72.8 per cent Malays, 21.1 per cent Chinese, 5.5 per cent Indians, and other races, had shown that its diversity was a key strength in shaping the state’s harmony.

“At a time when the world is divided because of differences, as is happening today, we in Malaysia need to be grateful that Melaka and the country have chosen to continue strengthening togetherness and celebrating diversity.

“We may have different languages at home and different customs at the dinner table, but we share a common identity. We are all children of Melaka and part of the big Melaka family,” he said.

 The Sun Malaysia