KUALA LUMPUR – Fifty localities will be identified by the Implementation and Coordination Unit in mid-December for the first phase of the poverty eradication programme using the whole-of-nation approach, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
He said each locality will be verified with the cooperation of state governments at the end of the year, before programmes and strategies are formulated based on needs according to the suitability of each locality in January next year.
He added that the first phase of the programme will be tabled to the cabinet in February, before implementation of the programme in 50 localities that is expected to commence in March next year.
“This new approach will be reviewed every three months to ensure effective intervention, if the achievement is found to be unsatisfactory,” he said at the Ministers’ Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was replying to a question from Chang Lih Kang (Tg Malim-PH) on the strategies and action plan taken by the government in achieving the target of zero hardcore poor by 2025, as stated in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Hardcore poor is defined as households earning RM1,169 per month and below, based on the cost of purchasing basic food for households with four family members.
Mustapa said apart from the 50 selected localities, the existing programmes for other groups and families nationwide will be continued.
He noted the new approach would involve comprehensive and integrated participation from the federal and state governments, the private sector, universities, government-linked companies, civil society organisations, and community-based organisations.
“Under 12MP, a comprehensive strategy covering economic, entrepreneurship, education, and health projects and programmes will be implemented to eradicate hardcore poverty by 2025,” he said.
He said the eradication of hardcore poor will be implemented regardless of gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and location, whether urban or rural.
To ensure a more focused implementation, Mustapa said a poverty unit was established under the Prime Minister’s Department on November 8, apart from several states taking the initiative to establish their respective poverty units at the state and district levels. – Bernama, November 30, 2021
