FROM 2009 to March this year, the Penang government has spent RM23.216mil in an effort to curb poverty under the Agenda Ekonomi Saksama programme, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“Penang was the first state to be declared poverty-free in 2015 through the programme which is aimed at raising the Income Poverty Line (PGK).
“The programme has raised the PGK from RM600 monthly to RM770 in 2013 while in 2014, it increased to RM790,” he said.
He added that 1,411 individuals and families had received the aid in the state over the past nine years.
Meanwhile, Lim said the total expenditure for i-Sejahtera and other financial aid programmes for 1.6 million Penangites since 2008 had amounted to RM412.63mil.
The i-Sejahtera reward programme gives out RM100 annually to those aged 60 and above.
Lim was at the Seberang Prai Municipal Council headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam, where 142 recipients received RM200 each under the Golden Child (Anak Emas) programme recently.
He also distributed RM1,000 to each of 49 beneficiaries of those who died.
Later, he briefed some 100 people about the state’s latest development at the Sri Maha Mariamman hall in Jalan Mengkuang, Butterworth.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
