SARIKEI: The government has set aside a sum of RM10 million to assist 2,000 qualified ASB Sejahtera recipients nationwide this year.
Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said of the amount, Sarawak was getting RM2.215 million to assist some 443 people.
He said this when representing deputy chief minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu at the handing over of the aid to 135 recipients from Sarikei, Mukah, Sibu and Kapit at the Civic Centre, here today.
“This aid is part of the efforts by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to eradicate rural poverty and in giving additional income to the hard core poor.
“It is our hope through this programme, which started in 2004, the community and especially the recipients will be interested to invest in the Amanah Saham Nasional in order to receive the annual bonus and dividend,” he said.
Alexander said besides such financial aid, his ministry also focused on implementing rural infrastructure, water and power supply projects and in human resource development programmes.
Earlier, Assistant state Minister of Rural Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the aid showed the government’s continuing commitment to look after the welfare of the hard core poor in the state.
He said they included the single mothers and the hard core poor who had registered with the e-Kasih syatem.
He said they should reciprocate such effort by giving the Barisan Nasional government their fullest support all the time.
– BERNAMA