KUSKOP PROGRAMMES MUST HAVE REAL IMPACT TO END POVERTY - EWON

KOTA BELUD, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry (KUSKOP) wants programmes under its agencies to create not only income opportunities but also enhance knowledge and skills as part of efforts to eradicate poverty.

Its minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said the ministry’s goal is clear — to end poverty through entrepreneurship and cooperatives so that communities no longer rely solely on temporary assistance.

He said the ministry aims to empower people to become self-reliant and successful through their own efforts, while continuing to implement various initiatives such as entrepreneurship training, business mentoring, access to financing for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, as well as financial and digital literacy programmes.

“This is the true meaning of ending poverty. When people are given opportunities and proper guidance until they no longer need aid but instead become contributors to the national economy,” he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the Bank Rakyat Mini Carnival at Kadamaian Square here today.

Also present were Bank Rakyat chairman Datuk Mohd Irwan Mohd Mubarak and Bank Rakyat Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Shahril Mohd Shariff.

Ewon said the Bank Rakyat Mini Carnival is an excellent example of collaboration between the government, corporate sector and the community in creating significant socioeconomic impact.

He expressed hope that such initiatives would mark a new chapter in strengthening the MADANI economic agenda in Sabah.

Meanwhile, Bank Rakyat said in a statement that it had channelled around RM2 million under its Community Outreach and Entrepreneurship Initiative, benefiting over 4,300 recipients through the programme.

Other contributions included RM67,000 under the Bank Rakyat UNIpreneur initiative for Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), RM10,000 for the RAKYATpreneur programme, and RM30,000 under BaktiRAKYAT to upgrade pedestrian walkways at the Medical Records Unit of Kota Belud Hospital.

“In addition, RM19,825 was contributed under the Kebun Nuri Nutrisi initiative to SK Narinang for a hydroponic farming project, while the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department received RM7,100 under the BR COMMUNI71 (BR Community) initiative, benefiting 71 senior citizens and single parents,” the statement read.

Other contributions included RM11,000 in asnaf aid to Masjid Kampung Siasai Dundau, RM10,000 for asnaf students of SK Kuala Abai, and a mock cheque worth RM50,000 under the Micro-i Financing Scheme for Hawkers and Small Traders (MPPK 2.0) to five entrepreneurs.

Yayasan Bank Rakyat (YBR) also provided RM1.5 million in assistance to benefit 3,503 UMS students through various programmes, including the Early Study Assistance (RM100,000), Ehsan@KUSKOP Early Study Assistance (RM400,000), Ehsan@KUSKOP Tuition Programme (RM370,000) and Ehsan@KUSKOP Hostel Assistance (RM659,000).

-- BERNAMA