KUALA LUMPUR: The current number of volunteers are not enough to assist 220,000 senior citizens and disabled persons in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. "These volunteers can only assist nearly 5,000 senior citizens and the disabled nationwide," he said. "Therefore, in the 2018 Budget tabled recently, the government has allocated RM1.7 billion to improve the welfare of senior citizens, the disabled and children. "These include allowance for the senior citizens that was raised to RM350 and would benefit almost 144,000 people," he said. Upon completion, the five-storey shelter - costing RM12 milion - could accommodate up to 500 senior citizens.

Source: New Strait Times November 18, 2017 15:11 UTC