KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is implementing several programs and initiatives to eliminate hardcore poverty in the state, according to Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister stated that the state has allocated RM125mil annually for the SMJ Housing Programme, which aims to construct houses for hardcore poor families listed under the eKasih program throughout Sabah via the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) secretariat.
“The government will also allocate RM175mil for poverty eradication programs, including securing employment for the target group to help them escape from the hardcore poor category,” he said.
Hajiji made these remarks during his speech at the state-level 2023 (1445H) Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Thursday (Sept 28).
“The state government also welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to improve people’s welfare by eradicating poverty, in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAW,” he added.
Hajiji stated that human capital development is a crucial aspect of SMJ, the state’s development blueprint, and aligns with the aspirations of the Malaysia Madani framework.
Therefore, the state gives priority to education and training under SMJ, aiming to create an educated, skilled, and highly adaptable workforce.
One such initiative is the SMJ Fellow Programme 2.0, he highlighted.
“This program represents the state government’s efforts to empower human capital development,” he stated.
The program, which commenced earlier this month, encompasses diploma and STPM holders, as well as degree holders and their equivalents, Hajiji added.
He mentioned that the program involves placements in government departments and agencies, as well as government-linked companies, with the goal of developing future leaders for Sabah.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
