Red tape and bureaucratic procedures have prevented the state government from opening a trust fund to help wipe out hardcore poverty in Penang, said Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng.
He said although it had been over a month since state Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh discussed with state officials, a bank account for the fund has yet to be opened.
“The account is vital so that the corporate sector and public can obtain tax exemption on their contributions to the fund.
“Unfortunately, this delay has hampered efforts to wipe out hardcore poverty in Penang by our original March 8 deadline,” he told reporters after opening the Bagan constituency free medical camp in Lucky Garden, Raja Uda, here yesterday.
Penang has 904 hardcore poor families with a monthly income of RM400 or less, Lim said, noting that the state wanted to raise their monthly income to RM500 - Agencies.
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