THE government will intensify its efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty in states where rates exceed the national level.
Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib told the Dewan Rakyat today that among these states were Sabah, Kelantan, Sarawak, and Kedah.
“The government is committed to eliminating hardcore poverty in the country regardless of racial background, region, or state.
“This is in line with its goal of inclusive development to ensure no one is left behind in socioeconomic development,” she said.
To eradicate hardcore poverty nationwide, she said the focus will be on states and territories with a higher hardcore poverty rate than the national level.
“This includes Sabah with 1.2%, Kelantan (0.8%), Sarawak (0.4%), and Kedah (0.3%),” she said during the minister’s question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN), who asked about the states targeted by the government to achieve zero hardcore poverty in the country, as well as Putrajaya’s action plan.
Hanifah said the government will prioritise the strengthening of infrastructure, optimisation of economic potential, the improvement of access to social services, and the enhancement of inclusive development.
“We will also strengthen cooperation between federal agencies and state governments.
“This is to ensure access and growth opportunities that will further enhance job opportunities, entrepreneurship, and living standards,” she added.
The 2022 Household Income and Expenditure Survey released by the Statistics Department previously revealed that the number of extremely poor households with an income below RM1,198 had decreased to 0.2%, or 18,445 households, compared to 0.4% in 2019.
The rate of urban poverty in the country, meanwhile, increased from 3.9% in 2019 to 4.5% in 2022. – July 1, 2024
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