SHAH ALAM: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will set up a special allowance package with an allocation of RM66 million to help the hardcore poor in remote areas of Sarawak.
USE IT wisely: Shahrizat hands over the monthly allowence to Amidah Masdi, 39, (right) after launching the 1AZAM programme in Shah Alam. — Bernama photo
Its minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the package was set up under the interim special monthly allowance 1AZAM (Akhiri Zaman Miskin) programme, to assist 23,000 hardcore poor throughout the country.
“For Sarawak, we need to tailor a programme that is different from the mainland since the distance from one place to another in Sarawak is very far. We will strengthen our machinery, organise special programmes, including using the Pos Malaysia offices in the state.
“By doing that we want to ensure that all recipients under the programme will be able to receive their allowances every month,” she told reporters after launching the national level 1AZAM programme at the Shah Alam main post office here today.
Shahrizat said the 23,000 hardcore poor under the programme are those who had registered with the eKasih system under the ministry and comprise those with an household income of RM440 and below, a month.
“All 23,000 families will receive their allowances from this month to December. Next year they will continue to receive the allowances, provided they participate in a special programme tailored for them.
“The monthly allowances received by the hardcore poor will also be different from one family to another, based on their income, but such payment will not be less than RM100,” she said. — Bernama