AUDIT REPORT Poor households in Selangor are the second lowest recipients of financial assistance, after Perlis, according to the latest series of the Auditor-General's Report 2013.

This report, which compares the rate of the Financial Assistance Scheme (SBA), states that the poverty line in Selangor has not been revised to RM1,500 in household income a month, as elsewhere in the country, but is still fixed at RM720 a month.

The third lowest state in providing financial aid is Negeri Sembilan, with a maximum of RM200 a month, whereas Kelantan, Johor and Pahang are giving a flat rate of RM120, RM150 and RM300 a month to qualified SBA recipients respectively.

However, eligible Penang folk are entitled to receive up to RM770 in financial aid, with a minimum of RM220, making it the highest state in Malaysia giving out SBA.

"During the 2009 Selangor Budget review, the state had set a poverty line of RM1,500 for Selangor (households) as it takes into account the high cost of living and urban poverty," the report says.

Based on data gathered by the Selangor Department of Social Welfare (JKMNS), households that fall below the poverty line of RM720 in earnings a month, are receiving a maximum aid of only RM175 a month, with the minimum being RM100.

"Because of this, many households cannot qualify for financial aid, even if they are in dire need of it," the report says.

Revision of SBA needed

Investigations and visits carried out in Klang, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat found the houses of SBA recipients to be in an atrocious state of disrepair, while the physical disabilities of several residents have deterred them from working.

The audit report indicated that since the financial state of Selangor, as of Dec 31, 2013, was at a very good position, with a reserve fund of RM2.91 billion, a revision of the SBA should be considered.

However, a proposal to increase the financial aid was rejected by the Women's Affairs and Welfare Standing Committee in June 2013 and in January 2014, while the latest request from JKMNS, made on May 15, has been met with silence.

"The Welfare Department said it has not received any notification to use the RM1,500 poverty line as one of the eligibilities for welfare aid," the report said adding that it was a July 16 correspondence between JKMNS and Selangor government.

Dead gets cash aid

On top of that, several districts in Selangor were also found to have been giving out financial assistance to people who have already died, with suspicion that their relatives are cashing in on the aid.

Financial assistance is meant only for those who have qualified, and are still alive, and according to the auditor-­general, the delay in review and termination of SBA recipients who have died has caused aid to be channelled to where it is not needed.

"Revisions on report of aid being given to the dead also found that 31 people have received aid funds totalling almost RM50,000 from 2010 onwards," the report says.

The 31 people include 21 from Klang receiving RM42,345 (2010­14), eight from Kuala Selangor who received RM7,150 (2010­13) and two from Kuala Langat who received RM450 in 2012.

After a warning from the auditor-­general, JKMNS thoroughly reviewed the 31 cases and resolved 19 cases, for which the aid that was given was paid back in full.

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