2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
People's Income Initiative: Face-to-face approach effective to engage Sabah rural communities
TAWAU: The implementation of People's Income Initiative (IPR) should be more inclusive and targeted, especially in rural Sabah, said Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
He said the initiative under 13th Malaysia Plan, despite being well-conceived, would likely fail in reaching those most in need.
The IPR, proposed under the revised 2023 Budget with a RM500 million allocation, is a collaboration between the government and several strategic partners to increase the income of people living in hardcore poverty, and those in the B40 income group.
The initiative comprises three modules: the Agro Entrepreneur Initiative (Intan), the Food Entrepreneur Initiative (Insan) and the Services Operator Initiative (Ikhsan).
The former deputy chief minister said Sabah's hardcore poverty rate stands at 1.2 per cent, which is six times higher than the national average of 0.2 per cent.
"This is more than just a statistic, it is tangible evidence of a persistent development gap.
"In reality, many Sabahans, especially single mothers, the elderly and rural youth continue to live in deprivation not due to a lack of effort but because of limited access to opportunities and assistance," he said in a statement.
To address it, Bung Moktar urged the Economy Ministry to restructure the IPR's rollout in Sabah, prioritising outreach-based strategies.
He added a face-to-face or outreach programme approach must become a central strategy, involving direct engagement at community halls, schools, houses of worship and community centres, in close cooperation with village heads, Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK), and non-governmental organisations.
"Sabah holds tremendous potential if policies are executed equitably and in a targeted manner.
"I believe that with an empowered implementation of IPR, Sabah can break free from the cycle of poverty and move towards a more prosperous future," he added.
