RAFIZI Ramli reiterated that Sabah’s rate of hardcore poverty remains significantly higher than any other state - a claim that had drawn disagreement from Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Speaking after a town hall session on the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) in Kota Kinabalu, the Economic Minister emphasised that this is why Sabah continues to receive the largest federal allocations annually.
“The issue of putting a full stop to hardcore poverty is a major focus right now. The only difference is that the incidences of poverty in Sabah are high—by far the highest,” Rafizi said.
Hardcore poverty, defined under the national Poverty Line Income (PLI), refers to households earning less than RM1,169 monthly.
Rafizi also pointed out that Sabah accounts for eight of Malaysia’s ten poorest districts, making it a focal point for federal poverty eradication programs under the next Malaysia Plan.
Hajiji, however, had previously rejected Rafizi’s claims, arguing that the figures presented in Parliament in March last year were exaggerated.
“The figures do not match what we know on the ground,” Hajiji said in his rebuttal, expressing dissatisfaction with an overemphasis on federal interpretations of poverty in Sabah.
The chief minister has also criticised Rafizi’s narrative for overshadowing the state’s efforts to address poverty.
“Sabah has its strategies and does not need to rely solely on federal interpretations of poverty,” Hajiji stated.
Hajiji’s disagreement also extends to federal development allocations, with the chief minister consistently advocating for a fairer budget formula that better reflects the state’s needs.
Since the dispute began, the state government, through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Secretariat, has intensified its poverty eradication programmes.
These initiatives include constructing over 1,700 homes, creating job opportunities, and collaborating with Socso for strategic measures targeting hardcore poverty. – December 20, 2024
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