APPLICATIONS UNDER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME

Encik Harun bin A. Ghani asked the Minister for Community Development (a) how many applications were approved under the Public Assistance Scheme in 1996 as compared to 1991 and (b) how much was given to the successful applicants.

The Minister for Community Development (Mr Abdullah Tarmugi): Sir, the number of applications approved under the Public Assistance Scheme in 1996 was 466 cases out of a total application of 1,518. For 1991, 379 cases were approved out of 972 applications.

The amount disbursed to successful applicants, Sir, amounted to $4,548,500 in 1991 benefiting 2,332 households in 1991. And the amount disbursed in 1996 was $4,498,300 benefiting 2,008 households.