Rokiah Mahmud
Several holistic and integrated strategies for the eradication of poverty through the Action Plan on the Eradication of Poverty under the National Council on Social Issues (MKIS) have been implemented, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad said during yesterday’s 19th Legislative Council (LegCo) session.
The minister said this in reply to suggestions from LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim and Yang Berhormat Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Momin to unite all assistance distribution so they will be more comprehensive and integrated.
The minister said the MKIS comprises members from ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), Ministry of Finance and Economy, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi added that the Action Plan on the Eradication of Poverty introduced in 2020 includes strategies for employment, entrepreneurship, training skills, education, mindset, housing, transportation and childcare.
Ministry and agency initiatives supporting these strategies are listed with their key performance indicators (KPIs).
The minister said that the National Welfare System (SKN) has been designed based on these strategies to align the assistance process from various agencies to facilitate the systematic application for assistance.
It also ensures that assistance is provided to eligible recipients in a timely fashion and enables the government to analyse latest data on recipients. The reports on SKN are shared with the MKIS and relevant ministries for action.
Initiatives under the Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Mindset strategies of the Action Plan on the Eradication of Poverty include providing briefings and training to foster interest, support efforts and increase employability among recipients in looking for employment or venturing into entrepreneurship.
The minister said the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Community Development Department (JAPEM) have collaborated with several strategic partners to carry out empowerment programmes including employment, entrepreneurship as well as skills and training programmes.
Since 2020, 430 people from the underprivileged group have been assisted in obtaining employment. Through entrepreneurship programmes, the recipients have been channelled to undergo several programmes including business from home, BIBD SEED and entrepreneurship programmes.
Meanwhile, for the skills and training programme, arrangements have been made for the recipients and dependents to participate in the Micro Business Bootcamp organised by Darussalam Enterprise (DARe), community programme, visionary youth innovation programmes and agriculture workshop programmes.
The assistance available under SKN include the Monthly Welfare Assistance (BKB) under JAPEM; the Poor and Destitute Asnaf under Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) and Annual School Needs Assistance being integrated with several agencies including MoE, MoRA, and Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, coordinated under SKN.
