Impact of 1Azam Program among Women Low Income in Peninsular Malaysia

Hasnor Faiz Mohammad Salleh1, Haslinda Binti Abdullah1 and Habibah Omar2
1Facultyof Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia
2Faculty of Law, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia

Abstract Results And Discussions

This study relates to an impact on 1Azam Program among low income women who participate in the 1Azam
Program initiated by the Ministry of Human Resources of Malaysia. Since the previous studies show that the No. Programs impact What should be What is Gap value Level of impact
issue of poverty among women is still disturbing, and the effect of the previous poverty eradication programs is 1. New knowledge 5 4.05 0.95 9 High
mediocre, the study tries to examine the impact of the current program among women participants. The 2. Increase skills 5 4.00 1.00 8 High
research question posed is whether this program has a different impact than other similar programs which have 3. Develop mental and emotional strength 5 3.95 1.05 6 Moderate
been evaluated before. Therefore, this study will look at the socio-economic profile of the participants and
examine the impact of the program to ensure that women are free from the clutches of poverty. This study uses 4. Program suits interest 5 4.07 0.93 10 High
a quantitative approach using survey forms. Interview through the telephones were conducted to 403
respondents. Gap analysis based on Lubkes Needs Model Analysis (2001) was used to determine the gap on 5. More confident and able to deal with the 5 3.98 1.02 7 Moderate
society
learning needs required by respondents.
6. Create wider social networking 5 3.92 1.08 5 Moderate

7. Increase quality of life 5 3.90 1.1 4 Moderate

Introduction
Research Background 8. New job opportunity 5 3.71 1.29 1 Moderate

Rapid development taking place in the country will undeniably have a significant impact on the rising cost of living for an
individual and her or his family. This situation resulted in the role of each individual in society becoming increasingly challenging.
In the Malaysian context, the prevailing economic developments have shown significant changes in the role of women. In the
context of the family, for example, many women are now involved with income generating activities (Noor Rahamah, 2012),
regardless of whether they hold the status of a wife or mother or daughter in the family. In fact, the role of women is becoming
more complex. It is true that this complexity stems from many factors, such as wanting to pursue ambitions and career as well
as changes in societys perceptions that women now should participate in the development. In addition, economic pressure is
also one of the reasons why this is happening (Alatas & Trisilo, 1990; Suryani, 2009). Ultimately, the aim of women's
participation in the labour market or business is to generate sufficient income to meet their specific needs.
Research Objective
This study attempts to examine the current status of low income household women's involvement in Income Generating
Program (PMP) implemented by the Labour Department Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM), Ministry of Human Resources under
The 1Azam Program, The Government Transformation Programme (GTP).
Methodology
This study uses a quantitative approach in which data is collected using a questionnaire adopted from
the instrument of an impact study by Nor Aini and Doris (2012). Respondents chosen were among the
recipients of PMP in Peninsular Malaysia for the year 2010-2013. The respondents were selected by
simple random sampling technique from a list of names of participants in each state produced from e-
Kasih data. From a total of 4149 participants, 4 states were divided based on zones i.e. Kedah (North
Zone), Kelantan (East Zone), Selangor (West Zone) and Malacca (South Zone) to represent the study
population. A total of 500 forms were distributed, but only 403 questionnaires were returned with a return
rate of 80.6 percent. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Demographic Profiles
Age Race Education
9. Increase income 5 3.83 1.17 2 Moderate
10. Increase side income 5 3.89 1.11 3 Moderate
Value gap : 0.00 1.00 (High Gap), 1.01 2.00 (Moderate Gap) and 2.01 3.00 (Low Gap)
- The highest gap that is shown among respondents is in respect of getting new job opportunities, with min differences of
1.29. This gap indicates that this income generating program provides moderate impact in creating new job opportunities
among respondents. From all the program impacts, the element of new job opportunities is the lowest learning value obtained.
This means that this element constrains women that are participating in any ongoing poverty eradication programs and this
includes women participants that participate in the program.
- The second highest learning gap is reflected from the point of increased income obtained by respondents with different min
of 1.17. This proved that the program gives a moderate impact towards the increase of income of candidates after the first
element i.e. the creation of new job opportunity.
- Overall, it was found that the program is seen to have highest impact on the respondent from the point of inquiring new
knowledge, and increase in skills, and the suitability of the program with their interest
- What is found that the impact level of the program is still at the moderate level in all learning aspects that was measured.
Conclusions
- The impact of Income Generating Program for women participants in this study is at the mediocre level from the objective of
program enforcement. This finding is almost similar with the findings of the earlier studies.
- In detail, this study achieved three learning objectives (new job opportunities, increased income and side income), which are seen
as providing most prominent mediocre impact on the participants.
- The profile of participants that obtained income from this Income Generating Program indicates that majority of the participants
have min income less than RM500 in comparison to those who has higher than the amount.
- This finding is important for the purpose of seeking positive elements to be maintained and improved in the future poverty
eradication programmes.

33.7
2.7 3.5
Level Recommendations
2

66.3 17.9
- Indeed, there is a need for JTKSM, that is entrusted to run this program to analyse effective strategies to help the participants. This
93.8 80.1
includes examining the background of each participant prior to participation (from the perspective of potential success). This is in
Youth (18-40 years) Melayu Cina India Primary Secondary addition to progressive evaluation that is done during training.
- The researchers feel that a study needs to be done on the participants that are still actively involved in the program, especially
Type of Program Monthly those with income earned more than RM500. This is to identify the reasons and strength as to why the participants remain in the
program.
Industry Status Income
13.4
0.3

33.5
50.4 47.9
35.9 37.6
62.4
18.6
Supervisor:
Beauty Cleaning service <RM430 RM431-RM720
Contact: Researcher:
Asso. Prof. Dr Haslinda Abdullah
Still doing business Hasnor Faiz Mohammad Salleh
Contact Number: 019-2703725 Contact Number: 019-3762293
Email: hasnorfaiz@gmail.com Email: lynn@upm.edu.my
www.postersession.com