MALAYSIA’S national hardcore poverty rate has dropped to 0.09 per cent in 2023, compared to 0.2 per cent the previous year, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Wednesday.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the latest figures indicate that only around 7,000 individuals nationwide remain categorised as living in extreme poverty.
He attributed the achievement to the government’s sustained implementation of various initiatives and strategies under the MADANI framework aimed at tackling poverty comprehensively.
“Only three states still record groups of hardcore poor, and we will continue our efforts to reduce this further,” he said.
“We have also introduced the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to strengthen efforts in addressing poverty — not merely from a financial standpoint, but by taking into account access to basic amenities and overall well-being. There are many improvements reflected in the latest data.”
Amir Hamzah made the remarks while winding up the policy stage debate on the Supply Bill (Budget) 2026 for the Ministry of Finance in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
He also reaffirmed that the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda remains a core government priority, with the ongoing implementation of the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35) being carried out across ministries and relevant agencies.
“In pursuing this agenda, the government has adopted a whole-of-nation approach involving not only government agencies but also various other stakeholders,” he said.
“As a result, the implementation of the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda so far has shown positive progress.” - October 30, 2025
