PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT WEEK 2 eM: PO Programme to reduce rural poverty The Chief Minister cum Chairman of Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustees, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan launched the 2nd State-level People Development Week (MPI) at Kg. Suasa, Beaufort on January 4. In his speech, Datuk Pairin said 70 per cent of the State's population was living below the poverty level last year which was double to that of the national average. "As part of its efforts to address poverty, the State Government has allocated $25 million through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries," he said.
is also the State Assemblyman for Klias called on jobless youths in the State to participate in the People Development (PD) programme. Datuk Lajim said since the programme was initiated· three years ago, many youths and rural people have benefitted. He said jobless xouths should now take the initiative to take part in the programme which is mainly aimed at improving their socio-economic status. /·",AM Oatuk Pairin hits the gong to mark the official launching of the State level MPI2 at the POC Kg. Suasa
The two-day function included an exhibition participated by the relevant government agencies and PDCs, visit to the PDP agricultural projr 'sharing of experiences session' and the Peo~,v ,:; Games.
Datuk Pairin said the State Government's moral responsibility toward solving the poverty problem should not be seen as a political mileage or as indicating preference for certain racial groups.
Addressing PD Cats at the "Sharing of Experiences Session" YS Deputy Director, Tengku D. Z. Adlin said, Yayasan Sabah hopes to build a society, which among others, is dynamic, self~ reliant, economically productive, literate, healthy, !olerant, harmonious, creative and positively motivated.
He noted that t~e State's gross domestic product increased from $4,855 million in 1985 to $6,461 million last year; an increase of 6.05 per cent over the past five years. "Although we have achieved this much growth, there is still more to be done particularly for the people who have been left out of the mainstream development: he said.
The Chief Minister plants corn seeds at POC Kg. Suasa Agricultaral Scheme area
Datuk Pairin added that the various programmes conducted through the People Development Programme (PDP) was part of the Government's efforts to alleviate rural poverty.
The CM inspecting some handicrafts on exhibition at one of the stalls set up by PO Centres from throughout the State
The State level MPI 2, which was organised for the first time at kampung level by the People Development Programme Implementation Committe, Kg. Suasa is aimed at giving PD participants and YS officials an opportunity to reevaluate their performance and solve problems encountered in their PD work. It also provided an avenue for them to meet, share experiences and exchange their views with relevant government agencies and NGOs besides promoting the products of participants and to give them the experience of marketing their products and building a marketing business network forthe future.
He also called on rural youths to think of resources available in or around their villages which could be the basis for their economic development. "These projects should start in a small way but could eventually be developed. This would also provide employment opportunities for rural folks," he said. Meanwhile, in his speech, the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Lajim Hj. Okin, who
This way, he said, they would be better equipped to fulfill their own needs and aspirations as well as overcome their own shortcomings and limitations. "The success of the PD programme would depend on the full understanding of its concept and approaches to People Development as well as the acceptance and commitment to this directior .•." all involved," stressed Tengku Min.
The PDP, he said, had resulted in the establishment of 120 projects for youths and 26 community economic projects around the State. "Although these projects such as those involved in the making of handicrafts are small in nature, they have the potential for expansion and could eventually become industries in their own right," Datuk Pairin said.
According to Datuk Lajim, three centres for the programme have already been set up in Beaufort.
Tengku O. 1. Adlin participating in the Sukan Rakyat which was part of MPI2 programmes
The MPI 2 with the theme "Positive Attitude Improves Productivity: marked the second anniversary of the People Development Programme.
