KUALA LUMPUR – A special unit at the federal and district office levels will be established under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to tackle the issues of poverty and income gaps, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
While tabling the 12MP in the Dewan Rakyat today, he said the special unit was also an initiative to eradicate hardcore poverty in ensuring that the poor, including those in cities, are assisted through a nationwide approach.
“This unit will also be responsible for coordinating the database in an integrated manner. All the programmes and initiatives will be implemented by the government, corporate sector, and civil society organisations.
“With officers given special tasks to manage poverty at the district level, I am confident that hardcore poverty can be eradicated by 2025.
“More integrated efforts will be undertaken to increase incomes and tackle the rising cost of living faced by B40 households and vulnerable groups,” he said.
As such, he said, targeted assistance like cash handouts and social protection will continue for those eligible.
“The Urban Community Economic Empowerment Programme and People’s Wellbeing Development Scheme in the rural areas, costing RM1.5 billion, will be further strengthened to boost the marketability, well-being, and purchasing power of the B40 families,” Ismail Sabri said.
He said the government however could not solve the issue of poverty alone, and urged the corporate sector and individuals to help members of the Malaysian Family get out of poverty.
“No matter how small the contributions are, whether through alternative funding sources such as zakat (tithe) and wakaf (endowment), if amassed, they will bring great benefits,” he said.
The prime minister said poverty was now also being viewed in other ways apart from finances, and in terms of education, more students from the B40 families would be given priority in entering high-performance schools and for scholarships.
Ismail Sabri said access to healthcare would be widened, as the issue of malnutrition and growth among children from the B40 families has been worsening.
He said this will be comprehensively addressed, including through the provision of nutritious food.
To raise capability, skills, and competitiveness of the M40 group in seeking jobs, Ismail Sabri said training and retraining programmes as well as entrepreneurial activities would be increased.
“They will also be encouraged to buy health and employment insurance at affordable rates.
“We will also ensure that children from M40 families have access to quality education at a reasonable cost,” he added. – Bernama, September 27, 2021
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