A NUMBER of steps
or actions based on the poverty research proposals have already been
implemented by the government to overcome the problems of poverty among the
people of Brunei, particularly in pulling them out of the poverty cycle.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang
Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah (picture) said
that these steps or actions include the establishment of special welfare aid,
in the form of monthly welfare aid scheme , old age and disability pensions,
for people who are unable to support themselves.
"This aid, through a monthly welfare aid scheme and old age and
disability pensions, are given to those who are unable to find employment,
senior citizens without a place to turn to, and those ill with chronic
diseases," he informed the Eighth Legislative Council meeting yesterday,
in response to a question posed by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka
Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Abdul Hamid Bakal on developments in tackling poverty.
"Aside from this, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS)
also introduced several programmes to provide training in skills,
entrepreneurship and business planning," he added.
"One of these programmes is the PERKASA programme, a business
entrepreneurship training programme targeted to those who are in difficulty
within the poverty category," he said.
"These courses are provided by the MCYS through its Youth
Development Centre (YDC)," he said, "and are also introduced in other
government agencies like the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Narcotics
Control Bureau."
Examples of such programmes are the PROPAZ or Asnaf Zakat Empowerment
Programme for those who are receiving zakat (alms) at the YDC, the Asyifa
programme for those under the supervision and comprising residents of Al-Islah,
and the Al-Hikmah programme for those who did not have the opportunity to join
the programme at the YDC.
"Besides these, work fairs, whereby welfare aid is combined with
work, are also conducted by the Community Development Department (JAPEM) under
the Community Services Scheme launched on September 19, 2011."
"Through this scheme, recipients of JAPEM's monthly welfare
assistance, particularly those who are physically and mentally fit, are
arranged to carry out community work like cleaning up welfare institutions and
so on," he explained. "It is hoped that through this scheme, these
recipients can foster their independence, self-sufficiency and responsibility
without relying on government aids."
Other programmes the minister mentioned were the Community Economic
Autonomy programme which is endorsed by the Ministry of Home Affairs through
the 'One Kampung, One Product' programme, the Rural Agricultural Development
programmeundertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifoods under the
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, and the Cooperation Development
programme taken up by the Brunei Industrial Development Body (BINA).
"At the same time, a programme to promote and encourage the
culture of menabung (saving money) is managed by the Employees' Trust Fund
(TAP)," he continued. "Roadshows to raise awareness about poverty,
especially in terms of financial management, are also organised by significant
agencies such as JAPEM."
DIYANA IBRAHIM
The Brunei Times
Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment