KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 – Cost of living, sustenance and poverty eradication issues in the Federal Territory will be the government’s main focus through various approaches taken under the Urban Poverty Programme (5MY), Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
He said to achieve this, the Federal Territories Ministry has launched the MYJobs@Wilayah, MYGrocer@Wilayah, MYSchoolBus@Wilayah, MYMedic@Wilayah dan MYFood@Wilayah initiatives.
“I am aware of the difficulties faced by the people who are struggling to rebuild and continue their lives. The government is closely following the situation to ensure that assistance can be delivered to target groups,” he said in his message in conjunction with Federal Territory Day 2021 broadcast on television stations tonight.
The Prime Minister in his message also launched the 5MY programme virtually.
Muhyiddin said the ministry was also taking a proactive approach in completing government initiatives by implementing a ‘social safety net’ program in the Federal Territory and also by providing initiatives that benefited the people.
“I was informed that in 2020 alone, more than 35,000 people and heads of households, as well as 331 low-cost housing in Kuala Lumpur, received direct assistance through the 5MY Programme. This is consistent with directives to fellow cabinet ministers for welfare initiatives to be implemented immediately,” he said.
The prime minister said the MYJobs @ Wilayah programme had provided up to 3,259 jobs in the capital, which was 28 per cent higher than its original target and the recruitment initiative covered various sectors and industries.
As for the MySchoolBus @ Wilayah Initiative, he said it had provided assistance to a total of 9,704 students in 67 low-cost public housing areas involving 94 school bus operators.
“MYMedic @ Wilayah is a mobile clinic service that provides free basic health care services to low-income city dwellers in low-cost housing areas in Kuala Lumpur,” Muhyiddin added.
He said MYGrocer @ Wilayah, meanwhile, is an initiative that provides mobile services for wet goods and daily necessities at low-cost housing areas at five to 20 per cent cheaper compared to regular public markets.
“So far, MyGrocer trucks have been mobilised to 30 Public and People’s Housing Projects (PPR) in Kuala Lumpur. The MYFood @ Wilayah is a food basket assistance concept comprising daily necessities for the urban poor and has now benefited a total of 32,000 heads of households in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Muhyiddin pointed out that to improve these initiatives, the Ministry of Federal Territories will redouble its efforts on determining the target recipients to ensure that no one is left out.
In his message, the prime minister also announced that 5,750 bags of rice will be donated free of charge every week to those in the B40 target group residing in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan beginning today.
According to him, the MyBeras @ Wilayah programme is run by the Federal Territories Ministry in collaboration with the Federal Territories Foundation and the Federal Territories Residents Representative Council.
He said in conjunction with the FT Day celebration, various activities have been planned for the next month using the virtual platform, including the ‘River of Life Virtual Run’ in conjunction with KL Car Free Morning in an effort to build an informative community which practices a healthy lifestyle.
Muhyiddin said the government would also continue its efforts to help alleviate the people’s cost of living and provide a comprehensive social safety net to ensure that the vulnerable and low-income groups are not left behind in the country’s development.
“This is evidenced through the 2021 Budget, which has focused specifically on initiatives to help the people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Perikatan Nasional Government will remain committed to achieving Malaysia’s vision to be a sustainable, fair, equitable and inclusive country while enhancing the country’s prosperity and ensuring the people are united,” he said.
The Federal Territory Day celebration is celebrated annually on Feb 1. The Federal Territories comprise Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
Sources: BERNAMA