KOTA BHARU: The Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM) has allocated RM9.6 million to build new houses for 120 hardcore poor families in Kelantan, with construction to begin next year.
Its director-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz (pix) said the housing implemented through the poverty alleviation allocation also provided a total of RM5.8 million for home renovation to 240 heads of households (KIR).
“This project will begin with four KIRs who were identified (in the Kijang state assembly area) during the eKasih@Kijang Tour programme on Sept 23, who are the first recipients to receive new houses to be built in January, while the rest will be built throughout next year.
“This noble effort is in line with the government’s desire to eradicate extreme poverty in the country and shows no favouritism when it comes to helping the poor,” he said after officiating the ceremony to hand over the letters of acceptance (SST) in Kampung Badang here today.
Commenting further, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said ICU JPM also received approval for an allocation of RM1.55 million to increase the income of eKasih participants and RM1.018 million for the well-being of the people in the state.
“Based on the analysis of data up to Dec 3, the total number of hardcore poor households (KIR) in Kelantan had decreased from 12,280 at the beginning of this year to 4,927.
“Among the factors for the decrease include the impact of aid and poverty alleviation programmes by the federal and state governments on the targeted groups,” he said.
Meanwhile, a recipient of the new residence assistance, Mohd Zukri Mohd Yusof, 44, did not expect his dream of owning his own home to finally come true after living at his wife’s grandmother’s house for over a decade.
Zukri, who earns a living selling coconuts, suffered disability in his legs after a rat urine infection several years ago and the impairment forced him to depend on the income of his wife as a restaurant assistant. -Bernama
