KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has urged the Economic Action Council (EAC) to take proactive measures and immediately formulate a holistic action plan to help the urban poor improve their standard of living.
The Prime Minister said he brought up the matter in an EAC pre-council meeting this afternoon, following a visit to several houses at the Desa Rejang People's Housing Project (PPR) in Setapak, prior to attending Parliament today.
Muhyiddin said he felt proud getting to know the residents, as many of them are hardworking and determined to build a better life for themselves, with some holding down three jobs to supplement their family income.
"Some of them drive taxis and Grab. Others deliver food. Others do part-time work outside of their work hours.
"I will strive to ensure they are not sidelined. In fact, they need to be further assisted.
"The government will give priority to the agenda of helping the rakyat, and we will continue to search for various methods to improve the standard of living of this group. Let's strive to build a better Malaysia," he said in a Facebook posting today.
In the same posting, Muhyiddin expressed his awe at the persistence and perseverance of the people he met today.
"During my visit, I met residents at three PPR units, who are under the jurisdiction of the Welfare Department. I met two 78-year-olds – Puan Chan Kam and Puan Danalachimi Baboo Naidu, as well as a disabled husband and wife, Encik Rosali Md Nasid and Puan Artinie Besah.
"I am in awe of Encik Rosali's persistence and perseverance to fend for his wife and two children. With both his hands handicapped and using a prosthetic leg, he makes a living as a tailor. He receives a Disability Worker's Allowance (EPC).
"During the meeting, Encik Rosali related his difficulty in obtaining capital for his business. He applied for several initiatives managed by the government. However, so far, he has not received any aid to expand his business. I've asked the Welfare Department to help him."
When relating his visits to the home of Chan Kam, who lives with her disabled son; and Danalachimi, who lives alone, Muhyiddin said the two women receive Aid for Older Persons (BOT) from the Welfare Department.
Chan Kam's son receives aid for Disabled People who are Unable to Work (BTB).
He pointed out that volunteers go to their homes once weekly to deliver necessities and clean their homes.
In this regard, Muhyiddin congratulated non-governmental organisation for assisting government agencies to help Chan Kam, Danalachimi and others who are less fortunate.
The Prime Minister said he later had breakfast at Che Nah's stall at a food court in the area and met with other PPR residents, while receiving a lot of insight on their lives.
He said many of the urban poor, who work as taxi and lorry drivers and are self-employed, are forced to face various obstacles in their struggle to improve their standard of living.
Though he congratulated initiatives taken by the Welfare Department; the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry; the Federal Territories Ministry; and the Housing and Local Government Ministry to help this group, Muhyiddin believes other measures could be taken to help these families.
"After listening to their plight, I believe more can be done by the government and government agencies to ensure this group is protected and are not left behind in the country's economic, educational or social development.
"Among other things, we could improve local community centres by imparting more skills – entrepreneurial skills – and strengthening their children's education to guarantee their future," he said.