KUALA LUMPUR: The People's Income Initiative, better known as Inisiatif Pendapatan Rakyat or IPR, has proven to be a lifeline for many Malaysians.
The programme that was launched by the government last year has eased the financial burden on many Malaysians by allowing them to earn a sustainable income.
One such beneficiary is 53-year-old Zainab Dali, who operates a vending machine at the Ampang Park MRT station and has seen a steady increase in monthly income to between RM5,000 and RM6,000.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, Zainab said the monthly earnings from the initiative represent a significant improvement over her previous work as a small trader.
"I immediately applied for the initiative when I saw the advertisement from the Economy Ministry last year. Alhamdulillah, I was called for an interview and was chosen to operate the vending machine a week later.
"While I had a business previously, it was tough to handle as I had to rent space for the stall, which reduced my profits.
"However, after I started operating the vending machine, my sales and income have been good. It is also a bonus that the contract provided by the government is for two years, so I do not have to pay any rent," she said.
The IPR, proposed under the revised 2023 Budget with a RM500 million allocation, is a collaboration between the government and several strategic partners to increase the income of people living in hardcore poverty, and those in the B40 income group.
The initiative comprises three modules: the Agro Entrepreneur Initiative (Intan), the Food Entrepreneur Initiative (Insan) and the Services Operator Initiative (Ikhsan).
Intan aims to recruit targeted groups interested in agriculture by focusing on high-yield import-value crops such as chilli, ginger, and corn.
Insan focuses on attracting individuals interested in venturing into the food industry. Under this initiative, participants will sell food at affordable prices using new approaches, such as vending machines.
Ikhsan, meanwhile, aims to recruit individuals interested in working as cleaners to address the shortage of workers in the maintenance of public facilities.
Zainab said operating the vending machine has given her greater flexibility in managing her daily life despite its own set of challenges.
She said the only challenge she faces in her business is waking up early each morning to prepare fresh meals for her vending machine.
"I am responsible for taking care of my sister, who is also a person with disabilities, as well as my niece, so I have to work hard. We are not well-off, hence, waking up early to prepare food is part of my daily routine."
She uses an application to monitor stock levels in her machine.
"Once the food sells out, I need to refill it quickly. The app lets me monitor everything, so I can cook and top up the food promptly."
For Normaladiana Mohd Yazal, 37, who is a person with disabilities, the IPR-Intan initiative has allowed her to generate additional income for her family.
Her vending machine, strategically located at Universiti Malaya, offers a variety of food such as sandwiches, spaghetti, chicken wrap, cakes and even Western dishes like chicken chop and fish and chips, has also benefited students with affordable food.
She also said she operates the machine full-time and takes additional food orders from home, primarily making sandwiches.
"Each week, I spend around RM150 to RM200 on supplies, earning a net monthly income of between RM1,000 and RM1,500.
"This initiative has been very helpful in meeting my children's daily expenses and supporting my husband. However, the main challenge I face is when my husband returns home late from work.
"At such times, I have to rely on my father or use public transport or Grab to restock the vending machine," she said.
Another IPR vending machine operator, Amiruddin Ahmad Abdul Jalil, 28, said the initiative has transformed his life and boosted his income.
The factory worker, who has been operating the machine at Kuala Lumpur Sentral for almost a year, said he made between RM3,000 and RM4,000 in just one month.
"I mainly provide breakfast items like fried rice and traditional kuih, spending about RM150 on preparation daily.
"With this initiative, I see myself expanding into other businesses, such as catering or providing meals elsewhere," he said.