M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
The Government must prioritise the education agenda, particularly for the younger generation, Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah said.
“Priority for education is to prevent the perpetuation of poverty and foster upward social mobility within families,” he said when opening the second meeting of the 15th Perak State Legislative Assembly here Friday (Feb 23).
He added that towering skyscrapers do not give meaning if people are still trapped in poverty, struggling to secure necessities like food and shelter.
According to the Sultan, education is fundamental to promoting good health as it empowers individuals to make informed health choices and contributes significantly to national development.
“Education plays a crucial role in reshaping the poverty landscape by lifting people out of the cycle of poverty and improving their quality of life.”
His Royal Highness said that while education policy primarily falls under the purview of the Federal Government, the state government can implement initiatives to ensure high attendance rates in schools and provide incentives to enhance students' interest in education.
Sultan Nazrin said the commitment to eradicating poverty must remain steadfast, as poverty alleviation is crucial to guarantee the social well-being of the people.
The Sultan said the poverty eradication efforts spearheaded by the state government have brought a glimmer of hope, with the total number of hardcore poverty households reducing by 58 per cent to 3,911 on Dec 31 last year, from 9,402 households in January the same year.
According to His Royal Highness, this decline in extreme poverty is due to various factors, including the dedication of district administrations and all relevant agencies.
"Through proactive teamwork involving various stakeholders, including assistance from non-governmental organisations, we aim to ensure that all our people benefit from the state's progress.
"Our government is dedicated to effectively implementing public housing initiatives, prioritising the fulfilment of citizens' housing needs over the commercial interests of profit-seeking developers,” he said, as reported by Bernama.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/02/23/towering-skyscrapers-give-no-meaning-if-people-still-trapped-in-poverty-says-sultan-nazrin
"Addressing poverty is a central pillar of our government's Pelan Perak Sejahtera 2030 to ensure the equitable distribution of the state's wealth for the benefit of all people.
"This includes efforts to enhance overall quality of life, establish robust social safety nets, and provide quality healthcare services,” said Sultan Nazrin
To enhance the state's prosperity, His Royal Highness said it is vital to recognise the deep connections between healthy relationships and the social determinants of health that profoundly impact people's overall well-being.
According to Sultan Nazrin, 8,030 affordable housing units were constructed in Perak over five years until last year, with the Perak Housing and Property Board (LPHP) anticipating a demand for 57,407 housing units by 2030.
His Royal Highness said that due to the struggle by many potential house buyers to afford homes because of disparities between their incomes and housing prices, the LPHP introduced the Perak Sejahtera Rental Scheme (SSPS), offering rental rates twenty per cent below market prices.
"Additionally, the Perak Foundation launched the Sayangi Rumahku programme, providing free new housing assistance, as well as repair and enhancement programs, to support underprivileged individuals, while the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) offers interest-free housing loans to eligible beneficiaries,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin said LPHP has also submitted proposals for establishing PPR in various areas, involving the construction of 1,200 housing units for the people of Perak.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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