PENAMPANG: A pilot project to eradicate poverty in three constituencies will be launched in conjunction with the Kaamatan festival in May.
Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said that instead of blaming each other for the poverty situation in Sabah, he wanted to offer solutions through his ministry.
"Despite being in Germany, I heard Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli's statement in parliament about hardcore poverty-stricken districts in Sabah.
"I have observed on social media where not many were saying something positive but finding fault. We should find solutions or at least be part of the solutions. We had enough in facing the poverty issue.
"That is why last month, I had held discussions- one at the ministry and another in Sabah, as well as the post-cabinet meeting for the pilot project in Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat constituencies, which have the poorest districts," he said during the Yayasan Bank Rakyat Schooling Assistance programme at SK St Paul Kolopis in Penampang here.
Ewon, who is also Penampang member of parliament, added that when the pilot project is finalised, it would help reduce the burden of those listed under the E-kasih system or prevent families from falling into hardcore poverty category.
He added that he would request Yayasan Bank Rakyat to fund the transportation and tuition fee for selected students starting from primary school up to secondary school.
Ewon, who is also Kadamaian assemblyman, said, students from rural areas could also seek opportunities at the Malaysian cooperative Entrepreneurship University (UKKM) should they not be accepted to public universities.
"Apart from that, one family member has to become an entrepreneur where Amanah Ikhtiar and Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun) could provide financing and also business opportunities.
"We will manage them under cooperatives through entrepreneurship courses," he said.
Also Present were Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang, Yayasan Bank Rakyat chairman Datuk Philip Lasimbang and deputy Penampang Education officer Robert John.
