NOT FOR SHORT-TERM BENEFIT: Naroden adjusting a bush-cutter on the back of a recipient. — Photo by Chimon Upon
SERIAN: Assistance given by the government are meant to help the poor help themselves to get out of the poverty cycle.
In line with the government’s sincerity to help them increase their income, the poor themselves must have the will and be resolute in improving their standard of living, advised Assistant Minister of Resource Planning Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais.
“The government is always sincere with the effort to help the poor in the society increase their income and eventually improve their standard of living.
“But at the same time the recipients must also be sincere and think of how to help themselves to get out of poverty,” he said at the presentation of equipment under the 1Azam programmme.
The event held at Dewan Masyarakat here yesterday saw 68 people from various villages in Samarahan Division receiving equipment in the form of bushcutters, knapsack sprayers and bicycles worth RM391,621.
On average, each recipient received more than RM5,000 worth of equipment.
Naroden, who is also Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development), advised the recipients not to sell the equipment for quick cash but to think of how to use them to cultivate their lands or do part time grass cutting for long-term gain.
He also told them that they should grab the many opportunities in food industry like planting vegetables.
“With the land that we have and the facilities provided by the government, it is wise that we cultivate them for agricultural purposes like planting vegetables to increase our income,” he said.
He also urged the people to support various government programmes which were meant to help the poor.
On the various financial facilities provided by the government, he advised the people to talk to government officers to know the various programmes being run.