KUALA LUMPUR: The government will continue to intensify its efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty in certain states where rates exceed the national level, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said Sabah, Kelantan, Sarawak, and Kedah were among these states.
She added that the government is committed to eliminating hardcore poverty in the country regardless of racial background, region, or state, in line with its goal of inclusive development to ensure no one is left behind in socio-economic development.
"In an effort to eradicate hardcore poverty nationwide, focus is given to states and territories with a higher percentage of hardcore poverty which exceeds the national level.
"This includes Sabah with 1.2 per cent, Kelantan (0.8 per cent), Sarawak (0.4 per cent), and Kedah (0.3 per cent).
"The government will also ensure greater involvement of targeted hardcore poor groups in poverty eradication programmes implemented by various ministries and agencies nationwide," she said during the minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat today.
Hanifah said this in response to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who enquired about the states targeted by the government to achieve zero hardcore poverty in the country, as well as its action plan.
The 2022 Household Income and Expenditure Survey released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia previously revealed that the number of extremely poor households with income below RM1,198 had decreased to 0.2 per cent, or 18,445 households, compared to 0.4 per cent in 2019.
The rate of urban poverty in the country, meanwhile, increased from 3.9 per cent in 2019 to 4.5 per cent in 2022.
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said on average, households in Malaysia spending RM5,150 monthly in 2022, were also up by 3.7 per cent per year for the period from 2019 to 2022.
Meanwhile, in terms of an action plan, she added that the government will also prioritise the strengthening of infrastructure, optimisation of economic potential, the improvement of access to social services, the enhancement of inclusive development, as well as the strengthening of cooperation between federal agencies and state governments.
"This is implemented to increase access and growth opportunities that will further enhance job opportunities, entrepreneurship, and living standards," she said.
She added that the government has also allocated some funds to implement programmes aimed at curbing poverty under different ministries and agencies, including entrepreneurship programmes, human capital development programmes, and income enhancement programmes for heads of households in the hardcore poverty category.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated his vow to end poverty issues in the country by 2023.
Anwar said the government would focus on the Malay and Indian communities, which were mainly in the low-income bracket.