{
  "id": 3967874,
  "title": "Aid must match recipients’ skills to help break poverty cycle, says Nancy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/aid-must-match-recipients-skills-to-help-break-poverty-cycle-says",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T13:06:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Borneo Post Online",
    "slug": "borneo-post-online",
    "url": "https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/08/28/aid-must-match-recipients-skills-to-help-break-poverty-cycle-says-nancy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nancy, the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, emphasized that government aid programs should not merely provide standard handouts, but should offer equipment suited to recipients' skills and the local economic context to help end the poverty cycle. She stressed that aid distribution needed a personalized, hands-on approach, considering the varied professional backgrounds of those receiving assistance.\n\nIn a speech at a 'Sejahtera Madani' program in Kampung Pasir Pandak, Nancy revealed that the Sarawak State Development Office, in collaboration with village leaders, had identified the specific needs of the community based on their existing skills for the 'Sejahtera Madani' program in the Santubong constituency. Under this RM70,000 initiative, 14 recipients were selected through the eKasih system and provided with specialized business tools and equipment tailored to their respective trades, such as barbers, traders, and delivery riders.\n\nUpon visiting the recipients after the program, Nancy assured reporters that the government would closely monitor their progress to ensure that the provided equipment would lead to sustainable income growth. The ICU JPM has implemented a structured monitoring and reporting system, including regular follow-up field visits to assess how recipients are utilizing the equipment. Recipients are required to submit reports on their income generation. If they fail to meet targets, adjustments can be made through site visits to help them achieve the targeted income.\n\nNancy acknowledged that previous aid recipients in Sarawak may not have entirely moved out of the low-income bracket, as it would take time due to realistic expectations when addressing poverty. Many recipients already have jobs, but their earnings are insufficient to lift them out of poverty, making them eligible for the aid. However, some recipients may face challenges, such as fishermen who cannot dedicate full-time hours to their side businesses due to other commitments. Despite these challenges, Nancy remains hopeful that the assistance will enable recipients to improve their businesses, increase their incomes, and ultimately achieve their goals.",
  "summary": "KUCHING (Aug 28): Government aid programmes must go beyond standard handouts by providing equipment tailored to recipients’ skills and local economic circumstances to help break the cycle of poverty. In pointing this out, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said aid distribution required a targeted, hands-on approach, as recipients came from [...] The post Aid…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}