RM120 million allocated for 1Azam programme in Sabah

A SUM of RM120 million had been allocated under the Program Akhiri Zaman Miskin (1Azam) to eradicate poverty in Sabah. !Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said the allocation from the federal government was for two phases of the programme, with the first phase implemented in 2010 involving RM40 million and the second in 2011 involving RM80 million. !He said 12,500 households earning less than RM950 monthly (poor) and less than RM550 (hardcore poor) were targeted under the programme. !"Eradicating hardcore poverty in the rural areas is one of the six National Key Result Areas," he said in his speech at the presentation of 1Azam aid to 83 recipients, here, today. ! Yahya who is also state Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, said there were four categories under the 1Azam programme, namely Azam Tani, Azam Niaga, Azam Khidmat and Azam Kerja. !He said the programme implemented in Sabah came under his ministry with the emphasis on activities that could give quick returns to the target groups such as farming and food processing, fish rearing, livestock farming and operating sundry shops. !Yahya reminded the aid recipients to carry out their projects well in order to raise their income and socio-economic status. !He also wants the programme's implementation agencies and departments to guide the aid recipients and monitor their projects to ensure that the goals set by the government are achieved towards reducing poverty rates in the state. Bernama