PM: Aid for hardcore poor to be coordinated

 

All forms of assistance to the hardcore poor will be coordinated to ensure there is no overlapping of recipients, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the measure involved several institutions and aid programmes among them Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), zakat institutions throughout the country as well as People’s Income Initiative (IPR).

“I want to ensure AIM, zakat institutions and IPR are coordinated so that we know the actual number of recipients and there is no overlapping in people receiving assistance,” he said at a Kenduri Rakyat in conjunction with the 36th anniversary of AIM at Kampung Agropolitan Chemomoi yesterday.

Anwar also said the government need to manage the country’s funds efficiently and responsibly so that every allocation achieves its intention to help the poor.

The prime minister said hardcore poverty could only be eradicated if the government had clear policies to raise the nation’s revenue - which could later be channelled to help the poor people.

"Before the end of the year, we must help save all the people who are classified under hardcore poor...we have to manage (funds) efficiently, not mismanage so that every sen is spent to achieve the purpose of defending the fate of the poor," said the Tambun MP.

In the meantime, Anwar said he is proud of the role played by AIM in lifting many Malaysians out of the shackles of poverty.

"Certainly, AIM is one of the steps and efforts for us to solve this (hardcore poverty) problem. I am proud of AIM, especially in this latest stage, where its management has improved and its weaknesses identified," he said.

Therefore, Anwar said Budget 2024, to be tabled on Oct 13, will take into account AIM's needs to continue implementing programmes to help poor and low-income people.

The establishment of AIM, among other things, was aimed at reducing poverty among poor and low-income households by providing microcredit financing to fund activities that can improve their income.

- Bernama