Over 1,200 individuals benefitted through TERAJU community innovation projects

MERSING: A total of 1,270 individuals have benefitted from Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera's () community innovation projects by obtaining additional household income above the current poverty level of RM2,208.

Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said TERAJU has established partnerships with 13 public universities and three state government agencies to develop 28 community innovation projects at 148 locations throughout the country involving allocations of RM67.5 million.

"Although bumiputeras are the majority race in the country, with a rate of 69.4 per cent (22.52 million people), their socioeconomic status, especially the income and asset ownership gap are still low, particularly among the B40 group," he said in his speech during a visit to a kelah fish breeding and rearing site here today.

Abdul Latiff said the programme, using the 'quadruple helix' model approach, was suitable with the Bumiputera Development Action 2030 (TPB2030) 10-year direction in strengthening the socio-economy of the B40 community.

He said TERAJU with the assistance of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) dan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and appointed consultant, Far East Planet Sdn Bhd, have provided opportunities to the B40 group to be involved as players in high-impact sectors that will lead future industries.

Abd Latiff said the agricultural and commodities sectors have been highlighted under TPB2030 as Bumiputera Key Economic Growth Activities (KEGA) capable of generating value and job opportunities according to market demands.

He said TPB2030 listed agriculture and commodities among the KEGAs projected to create Gross Operating Surplus (GOS) worth RM25.06 billion by 2030 by creating 11,156 jobs directly for the Bumiputera category.

At the visit, Abdul Latiff, who is also Mersing MP, presented appointment certificates to Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Fund (DPUB) 2020 South zone participants, who will be involved in three main programmes, the rearing of kelah fish and other local fish species, lobster aquaculture and the production of high-value pineapple-based products.

-- BERNAMA