Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, 14 JUNE 2012 - The involvement of 80,579 people in the 1Azam programme shows its effectiveness as a strategic effort by the government to eradicate poverty, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said the programme which started in 2010, targeted the involvement of the low-income group from all communities including the Indians, Orang Asli and Bumiputeras.
"Out of this number, 3,280 participants are Indians, 59 are Orang Asli and 390 from Bumiputera minority groups," Najib said in his written reply to Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) in the Dewan Rakyat Thursday.
Chong wanted to know the programmes targeted at eradicating poverty among the communities mentioned.
Najib, who is also acting as Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said the ministry through the Social Welfare Department had spent RM1.35 billion to provide aid to 473,928 recipients nationwide.
"This number includes 52,022 people from the Indian community, 1,396 Orang Asli and 2,323 from other minority groups," he said.
To a question from Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), Najib replied that as minister responsible for the ministry, he was committed to seeing social development moving in tandem with the nation's economic development.
"My leading the ministry enables me to implement more initiatives which directly benefit those in need of assistance at the grassroot level."
"I hope that all other relevant government agencies and concerned parties like non-governmental organisations, the corporate sector, academics and members of society will work together with me to raise the social development and prosperity of Malaysians," he said.