Ministry committed to achieve zero poverty by end of 11MP
KOTA KINABALU: The Rural Development Ministry is committed to increasing its efforts to eliminate poverty in the State, to achieve zero per cent poverty by the end of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
Its minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Radin Malleh, said in order to achieve that target, 52 Sejahtera Mini Estate (Mini Estate Prosperity or Mesej) projects were implemented statewide.
“They include agriculture, aquaculture, micro and integration. As of now, the ministry has implemented 34 agriculture Mesej projects, which include 16 on rubber plantation and 18 on palm oil plantation.
“Apart from that, six aquaculture Mesej projects have also been implemented, including maintenance and cultivation of seaweed, fish in cage, sea cucumber, oyster and baulu fish,” he said in his opening address at the National Development of Resource and Rural Communities seminar here on Monday night.
Radin said nine micro Mesej projects have also been established according to local economic activities with focus on rubber, palm oil, seaweed aquaculture, lobster, mangrove crab and sea cucumber.
Meanwhile, integration Mesej include various groups of main economic activities such as swiftlet farming and egg-laying ducks.
“The poor people’s housing project (PPRT) under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development has also contributed, with 11,825 heads of household able to enjoy a better quality of life, as of the end of last year,” he added.
Meanwhile, University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr D Kamarudin D Mudin said with the national agenda of achieving various transformations, the role of rural communities must not be overlooked.
He said rural communities have contributed greatly in resource development, in an effort to empower a harmonious sustainable life.
“Issues and challenges related to development, the community and environment must be handled sustainably through a systematic academic study.
“The concept of sustainable development is an ideal approach because it emphasises economic, social and environmental development, especially in rural communities,” he said.