The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has spent RM103.8 million in the first six months this year to help the poor and hardcore poor in Sabah.     

Its minister, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said about 30,000 poor and hardcore poor families in the state were identified for aid from the government.    

She said aid from the ministry was channeled through various programmes including public schemes, aid for orphans, senior citizens, people with disabilities and children.     

"Efforts to help the poor in Sabah is in line with the mandate from the prime minister who appointed me to lead the National Key Result Area (NKRA) for low income households.     

"The NKRA aims to eradicate poverty by Dec 31 this year by improving the living standards of low income families," she said while launching the Sandakan Nur Sejahtera Clinic here today.     

Shahrizat added that the ministry, through the National Population and Family Development Board, will step up efforts to fight poverty by carrying out programmes which includes going down to the field and emphasising on economy and health.

- Bernama