Fatimah (centre) speaking to reporters during a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.

KUCHING: Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said yesterday her ministry will continue to monitor those who have participated in 1AZAM.

This was to ensure they do not fall back into the poor category, she said during a press conference held at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.

The additional programme called ‘Beyond 1AZAM programme’ was designed to give assistance in the form of loans to those who participated in the 1AZAM programme.

A meeting regarding the progress of the 1AZAM programme with officials from various agencies involved was held before the press conference.

There are 40 agencies involved in implementing the 1AZAM programme throughout the state.

The 1AZAM programme was launched in 2010 to help the hardcore poor in the state and those who need assistance in day to day liviing.

Those who qualify for the programme are from low income households, and the programme provides four assistance: farming, entrepreneurship, service and jobs.

“We encourage participants to stand on their two feet while we try to help them via assistance,” added Fatimah.
For next year, the ministry is targetting 5,000 1AZAM participants while 150 former participants will be selected for the Beyond 1AZAM programme.

As of Nov 30, 2014 Sarawak has approximately 105,755 individuals under various ‘poor’ categories.

“We aim to ensure 7,500 new participants for this programme by Dec 31 and ensure existing participants increase their income by RM300 for three months by that date,” said Fatimah.

Apart from that were plans by her ministry by Dec 31, this year to update the e-kasih system, and implementation of the 1AZAM community/group programme.