Answer for Oral Question PL114

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim

YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA LAILA SETIA DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI ABD. RAHMAN BIN HAJI IBRAHIM asked MENTERI KEBUDAYAAN, BELIA DAN SUKAN to state whether there are plans by the Ministry of Religious Affairs or the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, to introduce the concept of 'Satu Rumah Satu Kebun' or 'Pertanian Murah dan Mudah' to able-body aid recipients, single mothers and asnaf?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan

For information, a similar initiative was previously implemented by the Community Development Department (JAPEM) through Program Mudah dan Murah, which aimed to introduce a small-scale and easy-to-manage agricultural concept to potential aid recipients. Under the programme, a total of 50 participants were provided with complete sets, including plant pyramid structures, hydroponic systems, planting containers and fertiliser, enabling them to begin small-scale planting activities at their respective residences.

The implementation of this programme also received technical support from the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood through briefing sessions, basic planting guidance and advisory services related to crop management. This approach is in line with efforts to expand opportunities for generating alternative income and enhancing food security at the household level.

However, an evaluation of the implementation found that the level of continued participation among the participants was limited. The challenges identified included time constraints, family commitments and other employment, as well as varying levels of readiness and interest among the participants. This experience provided an important lesson that the success of such programmes does not depend solely on the provision of equipment, but requires more targeted participant selection, structured monitoring and continuous technical and motivational support.

In this regard, the Ministry is of the view that concepts such as 'Satu Rumah Satu Kebun' or 'Pertanian Murah dan Mudah' remain relevant, particularly for aid recipients who are capable of working (able-bodied), single mothers and asnaf who have the interest and commitment to increase their sources of income or reduce household living costs. However, should it be reimplemented in the future, a more focused and phased approach will be considered, including participant selection based on suitability assessments, more intensive practical training, as well as more consistent monitoring and guidance mechanisms.

The Ministry will also continue to examine the potential for strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood and relevant agencies to ensure that any new implementation takes into account feasibility, household economic impact and long-term sustainability. This approach is important to ensure that the initiatives introduced are not merely additional forms of assistance, but genuinely serve as practical and viable empowerment platforms for the target groups.

Strategies under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for advancing society, which are also in line with the strategies under the Pelan Tindakan Pembasmian Kemiskinan of the National Council on Social Issues (MKIS), are shared. These initiatives include providing able-bodied and able-to-work aid recipients living in urban or rural areas with enhanced capabilities through skills training and entrepreneurship under Program Pengupayaan. This programme is implemented in an integrated manner with other relevant agencies, particularly JAPEM, through skills training and entrepreneurship programmes for aid recipients.