PEOPLE'S WELFARE REMAINS KEY MALAYSIAN GOVT FOCUS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government will continue to
focus on the welfare of the people, and significant resources will be devoted to
poverty eradication, according to the 2009/2010 Economic Report released Friday.

Improved security, more affordable housing, better public transport and
expanding the women workforce would also be key areas to receive attention, it
said.

The people, in particular those living in the rural and interior areas of
Sabah and Sarawak, would have better access to clean water, electricity,
education and health facilities in line with the targets of the national key
result areas, it said.

"Crime and security issues are a significant concern of the people. There
will be more coordination and mobilisation of resources to increase the
visibility of relevant enforcement agencies, particularly in crime prone areas,"
the report said.

More women would be trained in skills and entrepreneur programmes to
increase their numbers in economic activities.


The government would also encourage employers to provide childcare
facilities to ensure women were gainfully employed.

The report noted that two-thirds of the population were living in urban
areas and the income of a significant number were not enough to cope with the
rising cost of living.

"The government will address these concerns by building more affordable
housing and public amenities as well as by improving the urban transport
system," it said.

In the Klang Valley, public transport would be significantly improved with
the establishment of the National Land Transport Commission (SPAD) that would be
the sole authority for the coordinated and integrated development of the public
transport system.

Issues such as connectivity, timeliness, comfort, safety, disabled-friendly
facilities and integration with other modes of transport would be addressed, it
said.


In 2009, RM97.4 million (US$1=RM3.38) out of a RM280-million allocation was
spent to implement water supply systems in rural areas to benefit an anticipated
47,200 households by end-September this year.

Some RM525.1 million was set aside for electricity in rural areas for 55,700
households and RM200 million was spent as at end-September.

Of the RM1.4 billion earmarked under the first stimulus package for rural
roads, water supply, small business premises and poverty-eradication projects,
more than 21,000 projects have been identified and a total of RM755.8 million
was spent until end-September.

-- BERNAMA