ECONOMY Minister Rafizi Ramli said today that the government’s efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty in Malaysia focus on lifting families out of impoverishment rather than achieving a complete absence of poverty nationwide.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat, Rafizi clarified that eradicating poverty entails lifting the reported number of hardcore poor families each year out of their dire circumstances. He cited official figures, noting that in 2022, there were 18,445 hardcore poor families nationwide and government programs aimed to uplift these families from poverty.
“For example, in 2022, (there were) 18,445 hardcore poor families nationwide, as officially reported. Therefore, government programmes being officially monitored indicate that these 18,445 families, any family in Malaysia, have been lifted (out of poverty).”
Moreover, Rafizi explained that government initiatives target the official reports determining the number of hardcore poor annually, as the poverty line fluctuates.
“If there are 20,000 (families), then 20,000 (families) will be lifted out. If there are 40,000 (families), then 40,000 (families) will be lifted out.
“Zero hardcore poverty or eradicating hardcore poverty does not mean that there are no poor people in the country because poverty is relative. If that were the case, there would be no need for government (intervention) or zakat.”
The term “hardcore poor” refers to households with a monthly income below RM1,169, while absolute poverty applies to those with an income below RM2,208.
Furthermore, Rafizi’s remarks came in response to a query from Maran MP Ismail Muttalib regarding Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s pledge to eliminate hardcore poverty by 2023. Anwar had reiterated this commitment during the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review in September, acknowledging the ongoing challenges in uplifting nearly 114,000 hardcore poor families out of poverty as of Aug 15.
Rafizi previously said that the Central Database Hub, or Padu, would enhance the government’s ability to accurately gauge the socioeconomic status of the population and mitigate disparities linked to disposable income. – March 14, 2024
