HULU SELANGOR, Aug 15 — The Selangor government has relaxed the eligibility criteria for the MamaKerja 2.0 incentive to enable more working mothers in the state to benefit from the RM1,000 assistance.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said one of the key changes was that applicants now only need to have at least one child aged six and below, compared with the minimum of three children under 12 required under MamaKerja 1.0.
“Previously, MamaKerja 1.0 required a minimum of three children under 12, but we looked at the needs of early childhood education for children aged six and below. Now, only one child is required, with the focus on assisting working mothers.
“The assistance is provided to each mother, so even if she has more than one child aged six and below, the amount remains RM1,000,” she said at the launch of MamaKerja 2.0 in conjunction with the Wanita Berdaya Tahan Selangor 2026 roadshow for the Hulu Selangor Zone today.
According to Anfaal, MamaKerja 1.0 recorded about 4,500 recipients, and the relaxed criteria is expected to extend the benefits to more working mothers.
“Demand was previously high, but the criteria may have limited the number of eligible applicants. We hope to expand its impact and benefits further.”
Anfaal said applications for MamaKerja 2.0, including eligibility checks, can be made through the NINE app from 3pm on August 17.
The RM1,000 assistance will be disbursed in two phases, with RM500 paid in the first phase and the remaining RM500 within 90 days from the date of the first approval, she said.
She said the state government allocated RM5.6 million for the programme under the Selangor Budget 2026, before an additional RM5 million was provided through the Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package, bringing the total allocation to RM10.6 million.
Among the eligibility criteria for MamaKerja 2.0 are being a Malaysian citizen and a registered Selangor voter, a working woman with a household income of RM8,000 or below, and having at least one child aged six and below.
Applicants must also not be recipients of MamaKerja 1.0, Asuh Pintar, Tunas or Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selangor (BINGKAS).
Priority will be given to those who send their children to registered kindergartens or childcare centres, or to caregivers who have completed the Basic Childcare Course (KAP) or Iltizam Penjagaan and Pendidikan Awal Kanak-Kanak (IMPAK).
In a related development, Anfaal said the Selangor government will also introduce MamaKerja+, which will be implemented from next year, focusing on parenting, child development and strengthening family institutions.
“As an initial step in the collaboration with the Selangor government, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Malaysia will provide technical support for the evaluation of MamaKerja 2.0 to help understand the programme’s outcomes and inform future improvements.
“UNICEF Malaysia will work with Wanita Berdaya Selangor in implementing MamaKerja+, including in the design of the pilot programme, policy development, as well as monitoring and evaluating its effectiveness,” she said.
