KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is ever ready to support any efforts made towards ending poverty in the country, its minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said.
He said the ministry is likely to be involved in the People’s Income Initiative (IPR) where RM750 million has been allocated for the purpose under the Economic Affairs Ministry.
“We hear that approximately RM700 million was allocated for the IPR programme, to the Ministry of Economic Affairs for a project to eradicate poverty, which I am sure will involve several important ministries including the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
“So we are ready at any time, because the prime minister does not want this issue of extreme poverty carry on in perpetuity,” Salahuddin told a press conference here at the Parliament building today.
The IPR programme is among the government’s initiatives to lift the 130,000 classified as hard-core poor out of the category.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier in announcing Budget 2023 said the programme will help by providing immediate assistance and taking steps to ensure hard-core poor no longer remain in this category.
Salahuddin also expressed his gratitude to all who have helped his ministry make the Menu Rahmah initiative a success.
“I want to thank everyone. As up to now, the ministry has not spent a single cent on making the Menu Rahmah a success.
“Another piece of good news that we received today is the allocation of RM100 million under Budget 2023 for the Jualan Rahmah programme, whereby the prime minister has directed the programme to be carried out in all 222 parliamentary constituencies to benefit the lower-income group,” he said.
