PM: Search for real solutions to fight poverty

from The Malaysian Star

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

LANGKAWI: Malaysia wants less-developed countries to start searching for “real and practical” solutions to overcome poverty.

“Let us concentrate our thoughts on finding solutions to this problem,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the opening of the Eighth Langkawi International Dialogue (LID) here yesterday.

Abdullah called on this year’s meeting “to restart and re-energise” the debate on poverty with the aim of looking at what governments could do to reduce and eradicate poverty.

“If there is any deficiency, it is because the state lacks the capacity while its people are not skilled.

“Let us address these twin problems and come up with some answers,” he told the participants at the Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort.

Some 10 heads of state and government – mostly from African states – are attending this year's edition of the LID, which made its debut in 1995.

More than 500 participants from 40 nations are attending LID 2007. This year’s theme is Poverty Eradication through Human Capital Development and Capacity Building.

Abdullah reminded participants about the problem of poverty in the context of global security.

He said the Malaysian experience in tackling poverty was an example that could be emulated elsewhere.

He said its initial target had been to reduce incidences of poverty among the rural poor by making available opportunities in education, job training, healthcare, housing and resettlement.

He added that by 1990 Malaysia had limited poverty to only 15% of the population, compared with 50% in 1970.

He said that once poverty was no longer the principal impediment to further development, the Government was then able to embark on a development programme that included the private sector.

Abdullah called for the creation of more income-generating programmes for the poor to enable them to have better access to and use of various resources, including land, labour, physical capital, infrastructure and technology.

He said innovative micro-credit financing schemes, such as the successful Bangladesh model, could help small-scale or homestead entrepreneurs start or expand their business.

He said the development of small- and medium-scale industries was equally important to generate economic activity and provide employment.

He also said special attention should be given towards the empowerment of youth and women as much of their talents and potential had been neglected in many parts of the developing world.

Abdullah also congratulated former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali on their 51st wedding anniversary, which fell yesterday.

“I wish you both all the best. You are the example of a smart partnership,” he added.

Both Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah were also at the event.

Interviewed on the sidelines of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told Bernama that he hoped the participants would “take something positive back” based on Malaysia’s experience in tackling issues like poverty eradication.

Countries taking part include Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, St Vincent and Grenadines, Kenya, Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, Sudan, Swaziland and Lesotho.