Plug “leaks” that impede assistance

TANJONG MALIM: The focus of governance is to ensure help for the poor reaches them, says the prime minister.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said although various agencies were set up to implement poverty alleviation programs, there were still “leaks” that prevented aid from reaching targeted groups.

He said there were the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM), Farmers' Organization Authority (FOA) and other bodies such as Risda, Felcra and Felda that could help.

“But are these agencies being managed and their programs implemented transparently and responsibly?

“Some are, some are not,” he said while speaking at the 100 Years of Za'ba Poverty Thinkers Seminar at the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) here yesterday, Bernama reported. Anwar said the government spends RM22 billion annually on poverty alleviation. These efforts, if implemented effectively, could solve the problem in the country.

He said poverty must be tackled through multi-dimensional efforts, adding that one should not just focus on implementing projects or programs.

Rather, various aspects also need to be taken into account, such as the causes of poverty, capital ownership and distortions within the marketing system, such as exploitation by middlemen, all of which need to be addressed, he said.

“For example, if fish is sold for RM2 in Pantai Remis, when it arrives in Ipoh the price will be RM6, and when it arrives in Kuala Lumpur it will rise to RM12.”

“This distortion does not help poor fishermen. We can implement projects to support the poor in Pantai Remis, but if we do not correct the exploitation by middlemen, it will lead to imbalances, low productivity and low capital.

“That is the problem we are focused on,” he added.

Anwar said that the problem of poverty in various dimensions has been discussed and advocated by scholars and academics, including the late Tan Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad (Za'ba), and that intellectuals have been used as references for building a new resolve to eradicate poverty poverty.

“We should take this opportunity to take a new resolve, knowing that throughout the history of a nation and its people there will be moments when we have the opportunity to decide whether to make a change towards improvement or just stagnate,” he said.

The Prime Minister said eradicating poverty is not limited to financial resources and material possessions but also involves intellect, wisdom and ambition.

At the event, Anwar also launched the National Teacher Campaign and National Academia Day 2024.

The late Za'ba was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for National Academia, which was presented to his granddaughter, Dr. Sharzede Salleh Askor.

Also present were Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang.