TASEK GELUGOR, PENANG: Even though the impact of urbanization has contributed to the development of the socio-economy but it has also caused flash floods, congestions and urban sprawl that demands smart planning for the sake of liveability of the superior community.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, in the effort to balance the effects of rapid development of the urban and the community, the government has introduced the “Sustainability of the Urban Community Programme” (PKKB) that frames relevant policy to increase the social prosperity and harmony in the community.
Ismail added, the implementation of the PKKB is carried out after taking into account the interest of all levels and building strategic cooperation with various parties including the local authorities and non-governmental organisations (NGO).
“The government has allocated RM2.25 million for the implementation of PKKB in the Peninsular and will be extended to Sabah and Sarawak next year,” Ismail said in his speech in conjunction with the “Sustainability of the Urban Community Keluarga Malaysia Programme” held at the Tasek Gelugor Commercial Complex, 19 Oct.2022.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the government had implemented the Eradication of Urban Poor Programme (PPKB) to reduce the burden and responsibilities of the Head of Household (KIR) and increase the family’s living quality.
He added, the eradication of poverty especially among the B40 group requires common efforts to reduce hardships and increase the competency of the poor families in the cities to face the urban challenges.
“The Ministry of Housings and Local Government (KPKT) has implemented the House Restoration and the Urban Community Economy Empowerment Programme (PEKB) to improve the family living quality in the cities,” he said.
Ismail said, the government has increased the value or PPKB amounting to RM6.5 million that will benefit 435 housing aid recipients in Penang.
“To ensure the provision of affordable houses is sufficient for the whole Keluarga Malaysia nationwide, KPKT via Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) continues building the People’s Friendly House (RMR) that was introduced since 20 years ago.
“Up to date SPNB had completed building 51,726 units of RMR houses nationwide including Penang while this year 5,000 houses had received building approvals. This is in line with the government’s aspiration, “One Family One Government’s House” especially for the youth group, B40 and M40.
“The government through KPKT also supports the entrepreneurship programme to spur the national socio-economic growth via the Economy Empowerment of the Urban Community (PEKB). This programme is aimed at elevating the entrepreneurs’ skills among the B40 by providing various aids in the form of training, guidance and equipments to help them start their businesses.
“About 249 participants in Penang have succeeded in undergoing the entrepreneurship training this year and some of them have generated additional income of RM600,” he said. –Malaysia World News
