The annual Allocation of RM20,000 per MP hasn't been sufficient to meet the demands for human development, education, health and so forth in the respective parliamentary constituencies.

"I hope that the ministry will increase the allocations, say to RM30,000 each next year," he said while officiating at the launching of Bintulu Parliamentary Constituency Community Welfare and Development Council (Majlis Kebajikan and Pembangunan Masyarakat - MKPM) last Saturday.

He also hoped the Divisional Welfare Department here would expedite the delivery of aid to needy senior citixens, orphans and improverished families.

Should there be a need, he assured that he would also recommend for the number of staff of the department to be increased in order to facilitate the process of delivering the aid promptly.

He also expected the department to act fast in order to keep down complaints aobut its services.

On the MKPM, Tiong said it must not deviate from its functions of providing consultancy services to the State and District Welfare Offices on community development and welfare issues.

To enable the council to function properly, he hoped non-governmental organisations and corporate sector would support welfare programmes run or endorsed by the Welfare Department.

In connection with the launch of the council, Tiong distributed special contributions to 150 recipients of monthly state handouts and 50 special children.

Divisional assistant director of welfare, Peter Niyel Ramis; Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) assistant general manager, Sairi Naim; and SUPP Bintulu Secretary Paul Yong Khing Kee were also present at the cremony.