AID PROGRAMME INTENSIFIED DURING ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN

TELUK INTAN (Malaysia), Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi said all ministries and government agencies have been asked to
intensify aid programmes so that those who were facing problems as a result of
the economic slowdown receive appropriate assistance.

"During the difficult period, it is hoped that this (assistance) will ease
their burden," the Prime Minister told reporters after launching the Federal
Welfare Aid's Social Security Network Card, in Teluk Intan, a small town located
in northern Perak state Wednesday.

He said such aid should not only be channelled to the poor and the disabled,
but also to everyone who were hardpressed due to economic problems.

A comprehensive aid programme encompassing the agricultural, industrial and
housing sectors should be intensified so that the groups who truly needed
assistance were not sidelined, he said.

"We want to raise capacity so that they will have jobs and can set up their
own enterprises," he said.

On the Federal Welfare Aid's Social Security Network Card, Abdullah said the
initiatives taken by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry aimed
to ensure that all the target groups would enjoy the benefits provided.

Among others, the programme targetted the hardcore poor, the disabled, the
aged and children.

"What is important is that besides the financial aid, other programmes are
also being carried out to build their capacity in terms of housing, employment
and their own enterprises in agriculture and so on," he said.

Meanwhile in another development, the Prime Minister said the opposition
actually liked to make up stories aimed at sensationalising the issues.

"They make up all kinds of stories to make it exciting...assumptions and
accusations are made which should not be entertained and exaggerated," he said.

He said this when commenting on the claim by two State Assemblymen from the
opposition coalition in Perak today that they had received offers of up to RM20
million (US$1=RM3.60) and positions if they were to become independent
assemblymen or join the Barisan Nasional (BN).

National Front or Barisan Nasional (BN) is a major political coalition in
Malaysia, and has been Malaysia's ruling political party since independence.

The two Assemblymen, Keshvinder Singh and Abdul Yunus
Jamsani lodged reports to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) in Ipoh (capital city of Perak) Wednesday.

On preparations to face the three simultaneous by-elections, Abdullah, who
is also the BN chairman, said equal emphasis would be given to all the
constituencies contested by the BN.

The by-election for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary and Bukit Selambau state
constituencies would be held simultaneously on April 7 while the Election
Commission (EC) would set the date for the Batang Ai state constituency next
week.

When asked on the existence of camps among candidates contesting in the Umno
election next month, Abdullah, who is also Umno president, said there should not
be any factions.

"There shouldn't be any camps, all the candidates are known to the members
(delegates). They can decide...no need to campaign," he said.

-- BERNAMA