GUA MUSANG – Phase 2 of the Keluarga Malaysia Hardcore Poverty Eradication Programme will begin in the middle of this month and will involve 110 localities nationwide, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
He said the participation of about 10,000 hardcore-poor household heads was an initiative by the government to eradice hardcore poverty under the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“The experience gained from implementing Phase 1 of the (programme) will be used to improve every aspect to ensure its implementation achieves the stipulated objectives.
“We welcome more active involvement from the private sector, including government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies, especially through their corporate social responsibility initiatives,” he told reporters after visiting and holding a joint dialogue session with the Kuala Lah Orang Asli here today.
Elaborating, Mustapa said the government is committed to tackling poverty and inequality through inclusive community development and efforts to bridge the development gap between regions and states.
“Based on the national poverty data bank statistics, a total of 130,709 hardcore-poor household heads have been recorded nationwide as of September 15 this year.
“As such, the government urges all parties to come forward to jointly achieve this goal by adopting a nationwide approach that will be implemented in phases over a period of three years and six months,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the visit and dialogue session, Mustapa said two projects in the locality had been approved for implementation involving 35 hardcore-poor household heads, with the cost amounting to RM415,995.
“The two projects identified are the planting of lemongrass and ginger as well as oyster mushrooms, and all the participants have signed declarations as their commitment to utilise the aid given,” he said.
He said that, as of now, the implementation of Phase 1 of the hardcore poverty eradication scheme has involved 70 localities nationwide, with the involvement of 1,536 hardcore-poor household heads and costing about RM17.2 million. – Bernama, October 1, 2022
