This article aims to look at the challenges and constraints faced by the government to eradicate poverty through the 1AZAM programme. 1AZAM is a major programme introduced by the Malaysian government beginning in 2010 to help the poor to increase their income and break out of poverty. This qualitative research employs unstructured interviews which involves using random sampling from 53 participants to examine the level of participant's earnings before and after participating in the programme. In addition, in-depth interviews are also conducted with two government implementing agencies managing the 1AZAM programme to identify the constraints and challenges faced by these agencies in implementing the programme. The data that has been analysed using textual analysis find that participants income level increases after participating in the programme. However, there are challenges and constraints faced by the participants in their effort to increase their income. The challenges and constraints encountered in the programme can be divided into four. Firstly, the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) does not meet the Poverty Line Income set by the country. Secondly, a waste of government allocation in the programme. Thirdly, eKasih, the national poverty database needs to be fine-tuned. Finally, the incomprehensive monitoring method for 1AZAM participants. The 1AZAM programme is found to be very helpful to participants to increase their income. However, these four points should be considered by the implementing agencies so as to maximize the impact on those target groups.
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In-Text Citation: (Nor & Khelghat-Doost, 2019)
To Cite this Article: Nor, R. M., & Khelghat-Doost, H. (2019). 1AZAM Programme: The Challenges and Prospects of Poverty Eradication in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(1), 345–356.
Copyright: © 2018 The Author(s)
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