Kota Kinabalu: The State Government's significant success in reducing the poverty rate within a very short period came in for praise by the business community in Sabah, saying it augurs well with efforts to boost the state's economy.
They see it as not only good for the State's economy but also in efforts to reduce the socio-economic gap between Malaysians in the peninsular and in Sabah and Sarawak.
Statistics Department Director-General Datuk Dr Rahamat Bivi Yusoff had said that the poverty rate in Sabah, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, had declined to 8.1 per cent last year, a double digit drop from 19.7 per cent in 2009, the highest reduction registered nationwide.
This was based on preliminary findings of the department's Household Income Survey (HIS) 2012 for Sabah, she said, adding it was a significant achievement in the context of poverty eradication programmes in the country.
Federation of Sabah Manufacturers (FSM) President Datuk Wong Khen Thau, praising the State Government and Musa as the Chief Minister for the outstanding achievement, said it is a remarkable job in a short period of time.
"This is something remarkable considering the short period.
I congratulate the Government for it. It is normally not easy and takes a long periodÉthis is good for the State's economy and to reduce the economic gap between West and East Malaysians," he said, adding that the efforts in this direction must continue.
Kota Kinabalu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI) President Michael Lui Yen Sang echoed the view saying the great decrease in poverty rate means more people have money to spend which is good for business and the State economy in general.
He said the Chamber would continue to play its role accordingly and support every initiative made by the State Government.
Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President-Elect Bonipasius Bianis said credit must go to the implementation of poverty eradication programmes and projects meant to increase the income and living quality of the target group.
He attributed it to the e-Kasih system, the 1Azam programme, 1Azam monthly allowance, housing assistance programme (PBR) and micro credit, as well as the Agropolitan, Mini Estet Sejahtera (Mesej), hardcore poor people plantation programme, local economic development programme and so on.
"Besides the State Government and Musa, KCCI are also thankful to Tan Sri Bernard Dompok for boosting the plantation sector which gives opportunities to the smallholders to increase their income," he said.
KCCI see this as very important considering that many poor people among the Kadazandusun and Murut (KDM) community need motivation to increase the productivity in their agriculture venture, whether through the existing crops they cultivated or those newly introduced to them.
Bonipasius said the figures (on poverty rate) announced by the Department clearly showed the effectiveness of the Government's poverty eradication programmes, which enables those in the community who previously do not have money to now have the ability to buy essential goods for their and their family's needs.
"This also gives an opportunity especially for sundry shops to grow, which also support further development of the manufacturing industry and others in the supply chain," he said.
"Many among the KDM businessmen have benefited directly or indirectly from the poverty eradication projects."
He said the Chamber's would help in this regard by monitoring and gathering information on the poverty situation among the KDM so as to enable it to reach out and assist the target group effectively.
Koperasi Pembangunan Usahasama Masyarakat Maju Sabah Berhad (Kopusamaju) founder Haji Arsit Haji Sedi, said he himself witnessed how the Government's poverty-eradication effort changed the living status of the fishing community.
Generally, he said, almost all the fishermen in Kota Kinabalu and Putatan areas who are registered under his PNK now enjoy a monthly income of RM2,000.
"It was a different story five years ago and before thatÉour fishermen are now living comfortably thanks to the continuous various assistance including from the State Government," he said.
He said they can go out further to sea with the boat and engine assistance provided to them which helps them have better catch, and which also means better income.
As part of the assistance package of the community, he said fishermen like under his PNK are also getting a new home or their houses repaired.
"Under my PNK alone, we have ongoing construction/repairing of houses for 88 fishermen in Putatan and another 70 in Sepanggar," he said, adding the PNK Kota Kinabalu is also now in the process of providing the same for another 100 fishermen more.
He said the socio-economic status improvement of the fishing community under PNK Kota Kinabalu is a clear example of the signification success achieved by the State Government in terms of poverty eradication.
This also augurs well with the State Government effort to boost the state business sector, he added.
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