The subsidy is only for a year and those entitled to the bus tickets have to struggle again after that period ends. This is definitely a temporary measure and does not go to the roots of the problem. The people are still poor and cannot even afford the bus fare.
Should not the adage, teach them how to fish and not just give the fish be the mantra? Or are we kept in the dark on some future plans that has been approved to upgrade the livelihoods of this group of people?
The full news item that appeared in the Star 1 July 2012 is below:
KOTA BARU: The federal government is giving away free Cityliner stage bus tickets, worth RM1.6mil, to the poor and needy in Kelantan for a year beginning this month.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the programme was the first ever implemented in the country to help ease the burden of the targetted group.
Under this programme, 10,000 pre-paid tickets for the Cityliner stage bus service would be distributed to the poor and needy, including persons with disabilities (OKU), single mothers and orphans, in Kelantan every month, he told reporters after the launch of Cityliner's first eco-friendly bus in Kelantan here on Sunday.
Cityliner, which runs the stage bus owned by Konsortium Transnasional Berhad (KTB), has a fleet of 150 buses operating in Kelantan. About 20,000 people use the bus service daily.
Mustapa, who is also Kelantan Umno liaison chairman, said the Social Welfare Department would determine those eligible to receive the free bus tickets. - Bernama
Image from abgteror
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