![[X] Zulaikha Farhana](/_ipx/q_80&s_60x60/https://cdn.newswav.com/ugc-assets/31-1700639405060-1942-1700556722855-WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-20-at-5.33.07-PM.jpeg)
Sabah's Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, has announced an ambitious goal to significantly decrease the hardcore poverty rate in the state by 70 to 80 per cent by the end of this year. According to the e-Kasih system, which identifies households in extreme poverty, there are currently 22,510 such households in Sabah.
To achieve this target, the Sabah government has implemented various initiatives. These include providing financial aid for starting businesses and offering affordable housing under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) program. Moreover, the government is focusing on creating job opportunities for the children of hardcore poor families. The names of these families are being shared with government agencies, government-linked companies, and factories to facilitate their employment.
Chief Minister Hajiji Noor expressed confidence in the achievability of this target during a meeting with reporters after launching a pilot program in Tuaran aimed at reducing hardcore poverty. He emphasized the importance of providing employment opportunities to break the cycle of poverty, stating that priority will be given to children from hardcore poor families for job placements in various sectors, including government and private enterprises.
The SMJ Secretariat, in a statement, revealed that Sabah has a total of 101,113 hardcore poor households. They also introduced the MySMJ Profiling system, designed to store and analyze data from the e-Kasih system. This system aims to provide targeted assistance to households based on their specific needs. Tuaran has been chosen as the pilot district for this system, which was implemented in November last year.
The Sabah government plans to expand the MySMJ Profiling system to all districts in the state. This expansion will be part of a comprehensive framework to accelerate the eradication of hardcore poverty, incorporating short-, medium-, and long-term strategies tailored to each household's circumstances.
These strategies are part of a broader effort to address the complex issues contributing to hardcore poverty. By focusing on both immediate needs and long-term solutions, the government aims to create sustainable improvements in the lives of the hardcore poor.
In addition to providing financial aid and housing, the government is also committed to enhancing the employability of individuals from hardcore poor families. By partnering with both public and private sectors, they aim to create a supportive environment where these individuals can access job opportunities and build stable careers.
The MySMJ Profiling system plays a crucial role in this endeavor, as it allows for targeted interventions based on accurate data. By identifying the specific needs of each household, the government can ensure that its resources are allocated efficiently, maximizing their impact.
The decision to pilot this system in Tuaran reflects the government's commitment to testing and refining its approach before scaling it up statewide. This cautious approach allows for valuable insights to be gained and adjustments to be made based on real-world outcomes.
Overall, the Sabah government's efforts to reduce hardcore poverty demonstrate a proactive and comprehensive approach to addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the state. By combining targeted interventions with broader economic and social strategies, they aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive.
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