New Approach To Tackle Poverty - Najib - Bernama

PEKAN, April 12 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday the government would use a new approach in tackling hardcore poverty by focusing on programmes or high technology projects that are capable of providing income to the hardcore poor.

The deputy prime minister said the new approach was necessary as the previous ones were not effective in tackling the problem due to a number of reasons.

"Fishermen in the east coast, for instance, are not able to earn income for up to three months during the monsoon season," he told reporters after officiating the Fish Protech high technology aquaculture project in Kuala Pahang.

Najib said assistance in the form of fishing nets or boats, therefore, would not be effective in freeing the group from the clutches of poverty.

The modern aquaculture project might be the answer, he said, as it could generate income for the fishermen compared to the traditional aquaculture projects.

The 4ha project is being developed by Majuikan Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and expected to involve 300 participants from fishermen in the area.

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