The Development Scheme Of People's Welfare (Spkr): The Changes Main Income Of Group Fisherman In Hardcore Poverty In Area North Kuala Terengganu In 2008

Abstract

This research was conduct in 2008. That time the writter had finance problem to publish this paper. Now the writter try to publish this paper and add some of new input. Poverty eradication has been one of the government's agenda since the New Economic Policy. Various poverty alleviation programs have been implemented by government agencies and the non-government agencies. Government agencies are the Malaysia Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and non-government agencies are Ikhtiar Trust Malaysia (AIM) and the Foundation for Poverty eradication (YBK). This article reveals the extreme poverty situation among the fishermen in the North of Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. The respondents were categorized as extreme poverty fishermen and at the same time, they are participating in the Development Scheme of People's Welfare or in malay langauge says “ Skim Kesejahteraan Pembangunan Rakyat” (SPKR). The scheme is managed by Malaysia Fisheries Development Authority, Terengganu. The number of participants for the Kuala Terengganu SPKR Northern part is 35 and only 17 were selected as respondents using judgemental sampling. The purpose of this paper is to identify the demographic profile and income of the respondents (head of household) before and after their participation in the scheme. In addition to identifying changes in quality of life in terms of accommodation and facilities owned. The questionnaire also used to gather information. The findings of the study show that 82.4 percent of respondents managed to increase their income after getting assistance from the scheme (SPKR). There is also a change in type of accommodation and stages of receiving electricity and water supply. Mostly of the participants managed to exit the poverty line income (PLI) as for the extreme poverty gaining more than RM469. PLI level is based on the guidelines set by the State of Terengganu. Implications that can be seen are the increase in income then the participants can change their lives. Indirectly, they are able to enjoy life like other communities though not as a whole.