| Rokiah Mahmud |
THE Asnaf Zakat Empowerment Programme (PROPAZ) and the PROPAZ Apprentice Programme are in place to provide the poor with assistance towards becoming self-sufficient and stepping out of poverty.
This was stated by Minister of Religious Affairs YB Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman in response to a query by Legislative Council (LegCo) member YB Awang Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Ahad on the development of the said programme.
The LegCo member also enquired on the training skills or assistance to facilitate the poor for them to set up their own business.
The minister elaborated that, 193 people have joined PROPAZ, which sees joint collaboration with the Youth Development Centre (PPB). Of the figure, 139 are from the Brunei-Muara District, 29 from Temburong District, 14 from Belait District and 12 from Tutong District.
YB Awang Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Ahad during the LegCo Meeting. – DEAN KASSIM
Currently, 22 are undergoing a six-month work attachment at private companies nationwide. Meanwhile, 40 are participating in the PROPAZ Apprentice Programme, 30 of whom are currently undergoing work skills training at private companies.
“The PROPAZ programme participants are deemed successfully empowered when they have employment following the skills training provided.
“Seventy per cent of these former participants have set up their own businesses, while 50 per cent of PROPAZ Apprentice participants are self-sufficient and no longer in need of the tithe (Zakat) contributions.”
The post Programmes eye to empower poor appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.