PM: “Govt spent RM22 bil but yet still fail to eliminate hardcore poverty”

DESPITE spending RM 22 bil over the years, Putrajaya’s strategy to eradicate hardcore poverty has shown unsatisfactory results, prompting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to question the government programme’s effectiveness.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said that he was convinced that one of the main reasons the programme was not reaching its full potential was due to leakages in the spending.

He added that he had directed the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) research division, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and Bank Negara Malaysia to investigate the matter and determine what went wrong.

“How were the funds spent? Did the funds reach the target groups? Do we need to overhaul the approaches we take?” he questioned during the launch of the new EPF headquarters at Kwasa Damansara earlier today (May 8).

“We have to do this because we have spent a large amount of money yet the effects are not as what we would expect.”

Anwar expressed optimism regarding the government’s efforts to eradicate deep poverty, citing the substantial assets of Government-Linked Companies (GLC) and Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLIC).

“It is impossible that, with the RM1 tril in assets that EPF has … we cannot eradicate hardcore poverty. That is why I said if GLCs, GLICs, EPF and others including Khazanah, ministries and departments can avoid leakages, we can help the people,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister described the Menara KWSP Kwasa Damansara as a landmark that signifies service with integrity and responsibility.

“If we look at this new development area, it gives an impression that sustainability awareness is not only about the achievement of rapid growth but also taking into account sustainability and green values that benefit the people,” he remarked.

“This includes solving national problems; good management and governance can make rapid progress but must be managed with integrity and the elimination of all forms of leakage and corruption.” – May 8, 2023

 

Main pic credit: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim

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