The 1Azam poverty eradication programme is committed to creating opportunities for low income Malaysians to enter the middle-class, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

In his facebook posting, he said the government's transformation programme (GTP), in the form of 1Azam, had benefitted 168,000 less fortunate Malaysians to date.

"The government believes in the guiding principle to assist in creating and expanding opportunities for all hard-working Malaysians to generate more income," he said.

In the posting, the prime minister referred to Bernama's Dewan Rakyat report yesterday which said the 1Azam poverty eradication programme implemented since 2011 had benefitted 168,000 low income people.

The report quoted Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Razali Ibrahim ( left ) as saying 1Azam helped low income households to escape poverty via agriculture, education, entrepreneurship and services.

The poverty rate declined to 1.7 percent in 2012 compared to over 60 percent six decades ago while hardcore poverty is almost eradicated.

"This positive development is due to the GTP," Razali said when replying to Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) who wanted to know the achievements of the GTP.

Azam is divided into six initiatives, namely Azam Tani (agriculture), Azam Niaga (small business), Azam Kerja (job matching), Azam Khidmat (services), 1Azam Sabah and 1Azam Sarawak.

- Bernama