Poverty: Warisan will wage a Jihad: Munirah
Published on: Friday, April 05, 2024
By: Nikko Fabian
Isnaraissah highlighted that while the early poverty alleviation programmes such as Mesej were initially successful, they now fall short in meeting Sabah’s escalating household expenditures.
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan’s Kota Belud Member of Parliament Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis urged the State Government to reassess its existing poverty alleviation programmes.
She said the focus should be on stimulating the state’s economy and recalibrating the rising food and non-food Poverty Line Income (PLI), after seven districts in Sabah were recently identified as the poorest in Malaysia.
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According to her, Sabah’s absolute poverty rate is bound to surge if the State Government persists in prioritising mineral extraction investments and raw commodity exportation.
She foresees a slump in sub-sectors such as retail/wholesale and food & beverages/accommodation due to irregular and insufficient purchasing power, forcing many operators to shutter their businesses.
Isnaraissah highlighted that while the early poverty alleviation programmes such as Mesej were initially successful, they now fall short in meeting Sabah’s escalating household expenditures.
A comprehensive restructuring of these programmes is necessary, she said, to ensure they motivate participants towards achieving government-set targets and extend benefits to a wider local populace.
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She claimed Warisan’s JPRN unit noted absolute poverty rising in several West Coast districts, including Kota Kinabalu, Putatan and Papar.
She urged immediate action through stimulating the economy by promoting “diversified mid and high value industries” that provide long-term, above-PLI employment opportunities.
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As head of the JPRN’s Poverty Policy Committee, Majilis said the party has devised several action plans to alleviate absolute poverty in Sabah.
“These plans necessitate support from all quarters, particularly the business communities,” she said, adding poverty alleviation is not just through CSR programmes, but also via a new strategic economic partnership model with the State Government.
“Poverty alleviation hinges on competent governance and a stable economy, particularly through long-term employment.”
She said Warisan would launch Sabah’s new Poverty Alleviation Blueprint within six months if it succeeds in forming the next state government.
“This blueprint aims to enable Sabahans to surpass not just the hardcore poverty lines, but also absolute poverty.”
She likened poverty alleviation to a “jihad”.
“This fight is a noble struggle that demands commitment, perseverance, and collective effort.”
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