[Malaysia] Kedah Aims For "Zero Poverty" By 2010

from The Malasian News Agency

A Special Report By Adnan Jahaya

ALOR STAR, April 5 (Bernama) -- While single mother Asmah Ibrahim grapples with a hazy future, the state government is confident that poverty among the people will be eradicated through the Kedah Maju Action Plan (PTKM) 2010.

Launched in 2001, the action plan is now in its second phase.

Among its priorities is to wipe out poverty that is plaguing people like Asmah and her family.

Since she lost her husband Yusuf Idris in a road crash some years back, Asmah finds it financially hard to send her children Mohd Rafik, 16, Nor Azirah, 14 and Mohd Zawawi, 12, to school.

The 40-year-old woman recalls having heard of the PTKM 2010 plan and hopes that it brings some bright sparks to improve life of her family.

"At least my children, who are forced to skip classes at times due to lack of money for fare and food, can attend school comfortably," she told Bernama at her house in Kampung Batu Lapan, Baling.

Former estate labourer Amil Awang, 78, who uses kerosene lamps to light up his abode in Baling in the past eight years, is also waiting eagerly for the poverty-eradication programme results.

Just like Asmah, Amil and his family of four are hoping that the PTKM 2010 would bring them more "light" in their search for a way out from the poverty zone.

A DEVELOPED STATE

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said eventhough the year 2010 is the action plan's target, this does not mean that Kedah would be a developed state within the next five years.

Instead, the objective is for poverty-eradication in the state.

"We follow Vision 2020 (target) and Kedah aims to be a developed state within that time frame," Mahdzir said at a meet-the-people session in Sik.

Mahdzir said poverty rate in Kedah is decreasing due to the various programmes held by the state government.

Latest statistics show that there are some 2,800 poor families in Kedah, down from the 4,363 families in 2000, said Mahdzir.

He said district offices have been told to hasten implementation of the state government's programmes to ensure appropriate assistance reach the poor families.

The Menteri Besar stresses that poverty should not be an excuse for under-privileged students to drop out from school.

KEDAH MAJU

As to doubts over Kedah's capability to become a developed state by 2010, Mahdzir said the target expected to be achieved when that year arrives is poverty-eradication.

He said the action plan is to be systematically implemented in stages.

PTKM 2010 focuses on eight sectors -- industries, tourism, agriculture, education, human resources development, housing, infrastructures and utilities.

According to preliminary plans, PTKM 2010 is geared to change this rice bowl state to that of a developed state by 2010.

Dynamic, progressive, competitive and sustainable economic development are the four key strategies of this action plan.

The other strategies are putting into effect a balanced development and creating a society free of poverty apart from encouraging more Bumiputera participation in economic activities.

In the pipeline is reinforcing the state administrative machinery and institutions through the creation of an electronic government apart from improving the planning set up.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

Kedah is also aiming to draw direct foreign investments of some RM1 billion a year.

Among the prime projects being implemented is the development of Kota Perdana at Bukit Kayu Hitam near here, covering 3,470 hectares of land at the cost of RM10 billion.

This project covers Asean free trade and industrial zones, housing estates, education institutions and commercial centres.

The other development projects taking shape are the Gurun and Pokok Sena industrial parks apart from improving the support infrastructure at Kulim Hi-Tech zone's third phase, involving 400 hectares of land.