[Malaysia] Helping families to break free from poverty

From The Star Online

ALOR STAR: Kedah will rely on agriculture development to attain zero hardcore poor status by 2009.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said agriculture development programmes would help farmers to break free from poverty.

“We are focusing on padi farming, commodity farming and fisheries and agriculture based industries to help the poor,” he said.

Mahdzir said the state had also set up a Poor Eradication Unit to supervise all poverty programmes with non-governmental organisations in Kedah.

He said RM5mil had been allocated to prepare housing facilities, technical training and religious classes for poor families.

“We will also give school aid and free health check-up for their children.

“We believe through proper planning we can help the second generation of the poor families to break free from poverty,” he said in his speech to pledge his loyalty to Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at the Kedah Sultan’s 78th birthday celebration yesterday.

Mahdzir said there were 2,811 hardcore poor people in the state.

He commended Bahiyah Founda-tion (YSB) for initiating the “Titian Bistari” programme to provide free tuition classes to primary school pupils at 23 schools in rural areas.

“The programme saw 44 pupils scoring 5As in last year’s Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah examination,” he said.