KUCHING: Aid to assist targeted groups in breaking out of the cycle of poverty remains a focus of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development
Its minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said this was to reduce the increasing number of applications received by the Department of Social Welfare (JKM).
“Therefore, we are highlighting various related programs, such as the 2 Years Exit Program (2YEP), to provide opportunities for welfare recipients to achieve self-sufficiency.
“We will assist them in obtaining the necessary capital, equipment, and guidance to start a business for a period of two years while monitoring their progress.
“As of 2022, 4,921 individuals involved in the 2YEP and other programmes under JKM have been able to become self-sufficient and no longer depend on welfare assistance,” she said.
She told reporters this after concluding the Kasih Ramadan Programme organised by Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (YKN) in collaboration with Sunway Group in Kampung Beradek yesterday (April 1).
Nancy, who is also the Santubong MP, acknowledged that the number of individuals who have succeeded in the program is relatively small compared to the hundreds of thousands of targeted groups under JKM.
However, she added that “it is still positive progress because, besides the 4,921 individuals, there are also others still under monitoring who are expected to succeed.”
Nancy also said that the ministry will continue to help those who have the potential to break out of the cycle of poverty to succeed in the future.
She added, “We don’t want to see an increase in JKM applications every year as it is not good for the country.”
