The urban poor, comprising those working in town areas with income of RM3,000 and below, are encouraged to venture into business and do part-time jobs to supplement their family income and improve their living standard.

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association chief activist Nadzim Johan said by doing so, they would be able to get extra income to meet the increasing cost of living in towns.

“The urban poor has to be more productive by taking up part-time jobs, like doing business at night markets, writing books or by offering tailoring services,” he told Bernama after appearing as a guest at Bernama TV ’s ‘ Ruang Bicara ’ programme last night.

He said they should not rely on their monthly salary and government aid alone, but to strive to acquire and improve their skills so that they could take up part-time jobs for additional income.

“The people should now change their mindset by not depending on their monthly income alone,” he added.

Meanwhile, Titiwangsa Member of Parliament Johari Abdul Ghani said the government is continuously committed to improve the life of the urban poor so that they would not be left out in the country’s development.

“To help them with house ownership, the government introduces the 1Malaysia People’s Housing Scheme (PR1MA),” he said, adding that the housing projects would be built near MRT and LRT stations.

He said this would make it easier for them to move around using public transport.

However, what is more important is for the urban poor to be wise in managing their finances and to work hard to increase their income, he added.

- Bernama