Thursday August 25, 2011

RM1.4b fund to help the needy

By ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD
zuhrinazam@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: A RM1.4bil fund to help the underprivileged has been launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The 1Malaysia People's Welfare Programme, or Karisma, is expected to benefit about 500,000 people, comprising senior citizens, the disabled, children and single mothers.

He said the recipients would each receive between RM100 and RM450 per month.

“I am also happy to announce that widows of policemen and soldiers are also eligible for aid.

“This is the Government's appreciation to the Armed Forces and policemen for their contributions and sacrifices,” he said during the launch of the programme at his office here yesterday.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Under the Karisma programme, RM332mil is allocated to the disabled, RM290mil to underprivileged children, RM455mil to senior citizens, RM4.1mil to widows of police and army personnel and RM303mil to fund community-based programmes.

Najib said the initiative was part of the Government's continuing efforts to improve the standard of living of the poor and ensure that no Malaysian was excluded from enjoying the country's wealth.

He added that the programme was the Government's initiative to uphold social justice, which was one of the main pillars of the 1Malaysia concept.

“We have changed the direction and focus of the Government through the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and we have identified a large part of our community that needs help so they can become independent.

“The underprivileged represents a large group of the community and without government intervention, they will remain marginalised and we will have failed to uphold social justice,” he added.

Najib said while the economic growth of certain countries had contracted and others were slashing the pensions of their retirees and welfare aid, Malaysia has been able to provide, and even increase, financial aid to the underprivileged.

“We in Malaysia are not only able to carry on with the (welfare) programmes but also provide higher allocations for the needy.

“I hope that those who receive aid will be inspired with new hope, skills and spirit so that they will be able to contribute to their future and that of the country,” Najib said.

Shahrizat said some 2,000 widows of policemen and servicemen would benefit from the programme.

She added that this group would also be provided with a launching grant to start their own businesses.