State Government is committed to Hardcore Poverty Eradication

MEDIA STATE

In Response of report on NST 6/2/2012 page 6 “This Begs the Question – Normal Sight : Penang govt quizzed about the rising number of vagabonds, beggars”

The criticism of State Government for not doing enough to solve beggar and vagabond by Barisan Nasional coordinator for the Komtar, Loh Chye Teik is ridiculous and baseless.
The State Government has taken few initiatives and plans to curb the problems, which was the first in the country and has never been implemented during previous administration under Barisan Nasional.
These include the implementation of Partners Against Poverty Program and the plan to set up a shelter in Georgetown for vagabond to bathe and put up for nights.
The Partners Against Poverty Program aims to eradicate hardcore poverty in the State. Those households with income less than RM500 or per capita less than RM100 or unmarried individuals with income less then RM300 are given monthly monetary aid by the State Government. It is extra monetary aid in addition to the monthly welfare aid given by the Social Welfare Department.
The State Government has announced achieving of Zero Hardcore Poverty in March 2009 following the monetary aid given to the families which were identified living under hardcore poverty line. The objective of Zero Hardcore Poverty has been achieved since then, despite new cases would exist from time to time, which mostly happens due to sudden lost of income in ones family especially from those came from single source of income.
Loh Chye Teik’s claim of increase of number of beggars in the State is baseless. Social Welfare Department has carried out operations frequently to assist vagabonds and beggars to appropriate institutions or return to their home. The local media have even highlighted many times the State Exco and Chairman for State Welfare Committee, Phee Boon Poh, has personally helped out during various operations.
The beggars who turned up in Penang during recent Chinese New Year were mostly those traveled purposely to Penang from other states as they have learnt that tremendous amount could be collected during the festival due to the generousity of Penangites and visitors. There were also “part time” beggars and syndicates who took advantages during the religious ceremonies where thousands of devotees would give out cash.
Loh Chye Teik should not harp on this issue as he clearly heard of the trend of these part-time and foreign “beggars” turning up at Penang during festive season, which were existed for long time since previous administration.
The State Government will assist anyone that qualified for the poverty eradication program regardless of their race, gender and political beliefs. The State Government responded instantly to cases which were identified by all parties and even those highlighted just through the media.
I wonder if Loh Chye Teik’s claim that there were strategies to overcome beggars problem discussed by Barisan Nasional’s administration in early 2008 before the State were taken over, why it took Barisan Nasional so long before they finalized such strategies after they have been ruling the State for 50 years? Have any other states which are still under the administration of Barisan Nasional adopted the strategies and how were the results?
Lai Hon Meng
Special Assistant to Penang State Exco YB Phee Boon Poh