KUALA LUMPUR: The government's approach to eradicating hardcore poverty is intended for everyone regardless of ethnic background.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty are done without discrimination.
"While the majority of those in hardcore poverty are Malays, the poorest among the hardcore poverty is the Indian community.
"For instance, when we address hardcore poverty in Kuala Lumpur, we do not differentiate by ethnicity. This means that all those in hardcore poverty include the Malays, a small number of Chinese, and a significant number from the Indian community.
"If it is claimed that assistance is only for Malays, it's important to note that, although they make up a large portion, we are not only helping the Malays. I hope this explanation is clear.
"Our commitment to eradicating hardcore poverty for everyone is clear. If there are any statements suggesting otherwise, please let me know, as they contradict our policy.
"For us, anyone who falls into the category of extreme poverty, as long as they are citizens, must be assisted without discrimination," he said in response to an additional question from S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) during the Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Meanwhile, in reply to the initial question from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang), Anwar said as of yesterday (Oct 21), hardcore poverty in 15,029 households, or 65.6 per cent, have been resolved.
"I mentioned before, based on figures obtained, that as of Jan 31, 2023, the number of households in the hardcore poverty category was 126,372.
"Alhamdulillah, as of July 29 this year, this number identified from the implementation coordination unit and e-Kasih data has been resolved (from hardcore poverty).
"We know this number has increased because this success has led to new registrations. On Aug 1, we opened for new applications, including those who feel the need to apply (to be categorised as hardcore poor), with 22,893 households.
"As of yesterday, 15,029 households, or 65.6 per cent, have been resolved. So, we will work out the remaining numbers."
Siti Zailah had asked about the status of the government's efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty.
Anwar said he had asked the state governments to continue registering the hardcore poor in their respective states to eradicate hardcore poverty.
"It requires cooperation between the federal government machinery and the state governments, involving chief ministers, district officers and state secretaries to undertake new registrations and to eradicate poverty as a whole.
"We (the government) receive good cooperation from all state governments in our effort to eradicate hardcore poverty," he said.
Anwar also disagreed with Zalilah's statement that the government had failed to eradicate hardcore poverty within the targeted timeframe.
Anwar said, on the contrary, the number of households in the category stems from previous records when Perikatan Nasional was in power.
"Don't call it a failure. The number was from the government supported by YB Rantau Panjang (referring to Siti Zailah). We use that figure and we will resolve it."
On the mechanisms used to categorise the hardcore poor, Anwar said; "In the past, we measured by income. However, we noticed weaknesses in this approach.
"For example, if the income is RM 2,000 per month but there are four household members, the actual income per person is only RM 500.
"That's why we have now shifted from assessing income to looking at per capita income. I believe this approach is more accurate, as it takes into account the number of children and dependents as well."