PETALING JAYA: The expansion of the cashless welfare assistance pilot programme to other states and districts has been postponed until a feasibility study is completed.

       This was decided by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry through the Welfare Department after a question-and-answer session with welfare voluntary organisations and the disabled community on Friday.

       The department said the postponement was relayed by its deputy director-general (strategic) Rosmahwati Ishak during the session.

       “During the engagement session, Rosmahwati assured that the ministry had taken note of all the issues raised by the targeted groups,” it said in a statement yesterday.

       The two-day session was held between the ministry and the department with the groups involved.

       The implementation of the pilot programme known as JKMPay had come under criticism by disabled groups and organisations.

       They contended that they were not consulted prior to the implementation.

       JKMPay is a pilot project for welfare recipients, where 50% of the cash aid is banked into their Bank Islam accounts.

       The other 50% is stored in a JKMPay card that allows recipients to purchase essentials, including medication, at 250 shops registered with Bank Islam.