KPLB agencies allocate RM231 mln to assist affected groups during MCO

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM231 million has been allocated by all agencies under the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) to assist affected groups during the Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0.

Its minister, Datuk Dr Abdul Latif Ahmad, said the assistance and incentives would benefit 833,197 entrepreneurs, tenants, and borrowers to keep them going and to increase their income.

"Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) is continuing with the existing incentives under the MARA Assistance Package 3.0: Peace of Mind 3.0, rescheduling of MARA financing payments, and rental discounts for tenants of MARA business premises," he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, the incentives offered under the Regional Development Authority (LKW) are exemption from business premises fees and land rental; deferment of house rent and loan payments; as well as restructuring and expanding entrepreneurship programmes by the agency.

The Regional Development Authorities involved are Penang (Perda), Johor (Kejora), south Kelantan (Kesedar), Kedah (Keda) and central Terengganu (Ketengah).

Abdul Latif said other agencies under the ministry such as the Community Development Department (KEMAS) and Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) also offer moratorium incentives, assistance, courses and food baskets to the Orang Asli community.

In addition, KPLB will also continue three assistance programmes under the people's housing project for the hardcore poor (PPRT), Career Skills Training Programme (PLKK) and Economic Improvement Programmes (PPP) to support the National Rehabilitation Strategic Plan.

"PPRT will continue to be implemented during the National Recovery Plan period with an additional target of 200 new construction projects and 5,800 refurbishment projects, involving an allocation of RM142 million," he said.

He said PLKK also allocated RM10 million to provide career training opportunities, especially for the lower-income group (B40) in rural areas.

While PPP assists the target group from the hardcore poor, the poor and the B40 to increase their current income through the ceiling fund of RM10,000 per recipient, involving an allocation of RM7 million.

To assist rural entrepreneurs, KPLB also carried out DesaMall@KPLB programme, Jana Niaga MARA Shopee programme, and eKUD@KPLB programme to expand the group's marketing of products and services through e-commerce platform.

"With the current year's allocation of RM1 million, KPLB is targeting 1,000 products of rural entrepreneurs to be marketed on e-commerce platforms this year," he said.

Meanwhile, to support the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, KPLB would mobilise manpower and assets to assist the country achieve the herd immunity target by 2022.

He said KPLB has activated all the 191 Rural Community Centres (PKD) nationwide to be used as Rural Vaccination Registration Centres from May 20 until June 15 and has registered 6,558 individuals.

Abdul Latif said KPLB would also intensify its target to register about 30 per cent of the 7.73 million rural communities.

-- BERNAMA