ABSTRACT
The fabric of social welfare in a country is shaped by many elements. Those seen as relevant are: the manner in which the individual is viewed, the sense of obligation for fellow men that prevails, and the priorities that exist at a given time. These elements form part of the general concern and indicate the value placed on human resource and on whether help is given when people are unable to contribute to the common good. In Malaysia, all three elements have played a role in developing the social welfare system. At different times the individual has been credited with being capable of and responsible for handling his or her own situation, to a lesser or greater extent. The priorities have also changed, as have the approaches appropriate to the solution of personal and social problems.
