SIBU: Couples in the Pelawan constituency will be given RM500 when they get married and another RM300 when they have a child, in a move to encourage more marriages.

       “We are giving RM500 ‘ang pao’ to couples who marry in 2022 on condition that either the husband or wife is a voter in the Pelawan constituency. This is to congratulate them on their wedding and to encourage young people to get married,” said Pelawan assemblyman Michael Tiang at the opening of his service centre here on Friday (March 11).

       As for the RM300 for newborns, he said the babies must be born on or after Jan 1, 2022.

       “We are doing this as we want to help young mothers,” he said.

       Tiang said applications for the two incentives can be made through his service centre's online digital application form or by walk-in at the centre in Sungai Merah.

       Each family is eligible for one application only.