PUTRAJAYA: It is more effective to offer sustainable job opportunities than cash handouts when helping vulnerable groups to escape poverty, says Rafizi Ramli (pic).
The Economy Minister said that based on studies and discussions from other countries such as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, it has shown that those from lower income groups prefer jobs to cash.
"This is actually the challenge in our framework to introduce intervention and our joint efforts to end poverty," he said in his opening address at the National Symposium to End Poverty 2024 at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), yesterday (Sept 30).
Rafizi said that it was important to come up with an effective anti-poverty programme that will actually empower its recipients.
"Providing cash assistance alone or equipment for lower-income groups to start businesses often does not succeed.
"It is not because the cash is insufficient or the equipment is inadequate, but because they need to create a form of business that is sustainable," added Rafizi.
The minister also pointed out that these groups needed other types of assistance, such as proper training and support to face business risks and boost their capability to compete.
Rafizi then said that Malaysia will have to face being an ageing nation, adding that this will complicate efforts to eradicate poverty.
"We must accept the reality that we are also experiencing this. The issue of an ageing nation certainly brings another complex dimension to eradicating poverty.
"There are some households, during their working years, that may not be considered as under poverty.
"But after their retirement, and they live until the age of 80 or 90 years old, due to limited resources, high cost of living and medical expenses, things may change and we hope to discuss this," said Rafizi.
