KUALA LUMPUR: The role of the Federal Territories Ministry will be strengthened and expanded to include urban poverty eradication nationwide. With this, the ministry has been renamed the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Well-being.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the ministry would have to prepare a comprehensive action plan and implement suitable programmes to address urban poverty.
The urban poor include those with monthly income below RM3,000.
The government will allocate RM48 million for these programmes, including providing welfare assistance and house rental payments.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin pledged to do his best to address the problem.
"I will carry out the responsibilities entrusted upon me as best as possible and will ensure the programmes are carried out smoothly and effectively."
Najib, in his maiden Budget speech yesterday, said the urbanisation rate was increasing rapidly with 63 per cent of the population residing in urban areas.
It continues to increase due to the high cost of living, low income and housing problems.
He said the government would continue to provide housing facilities to ensure the rakyat were able to afford and reside in comfortable homes.
Priority will be given to the low- and middle-income groups to own or rent houses provided by the government.
To promote house ownership and enhance the quality of life, the government will launch a scheme that enables Employees Provident Fund contributors to utilise current and future savings in Account 2. This will enable them to obtain higher financing to purchase higher value or additional houses.
This scheme aims to increase the purchasing power of EPF contributors and is limited to the purchase of one house at any one time, and is subject to conditions stipulated by EPF.
The scheme will be launched in January.
The government will continue to aid the disabled, senior citizens, single mothers and children in need of welfare assistance.
To further strengthen the social safety net, the government will allocate RM224 million to the disabled for the implementation of the Rehabilitation in the Community Programme as well as construct and upgrade four Taman Sinar Harapan.
An allocation of RM174 million is provided for senior citizens, including assistance as well as the construction and upgrading of two Rumah Seri Kenangan.
It will also allocate RM15 million to Tabung Kebajikan Perubatan Malaysia, Malay- sian Hospice Council and Malaysian Association for the Blind to assist poor patients and to help purchase medical equipment.
The government will also increase the allowance rate from RM50 to RM150 a month for every disabled child enrolled in non-governmental organisations-run special schools, effective Jan 1.
An allocation of RM3.3 million will be provided, which will benefit nearly 4,000 disabled children.
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