Govt Allocates RM20 Billion For Low-income Group, Hardcore Poverty Rate Drops 0.09 Per Cent - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The government allocated nearly RM20 billion for various assistance programmes targeting the low-income group this year, helping to reduce the country’s hardcore poverty rate to just 0.09 per cent, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the allocation covers initiatives, including the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR), the Rahmah Basic Contribution (SARA), and assistance from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), in addition to support from state governments and state Islamic religious councils.

“From the data, the remaining 0.09 per cent represents hardcore poverty...that was the figure at the beginning of the year. Now, the cases listed have been resolved not only through efforts by the federal government but also through cooperation with state governments and state Islamic religious councils.

“Based on e-Kasih data, the number of hardcore poor households has decreased, and we have the capacity to address the remaining cases,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) regarding the MADANI government’s progress in tackling hardcore poverty and poverty in general.

He said efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty require close cooperation with state governments, including in Kelantan and Kedah, particularly to enhance the tracking process and coordination of aid distribution.

Meanwhile, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said that the recent increase in the minimum wage, from RM1,200 to RM1,500 and now RM1,700, along with a 25 to 30 per cent salary adjustment for low-income civil servants, are part of broader initiatives to reduce relative poverty and narrow income disparities.

“These lower-category civil servants fall within the poor category, though not classified as hardcore poor. By raising their salaries by 25 to 30 per cent, we aim to lessen the disparity. That’s the effort we are pursuing.

“I hope further improvements can be made once the economic situation becomes more favourable,” he said.

Responding to a supplementary question from Iskandar Dzulkarnain regarding the SARA RM100 assistance for rural consumers and their access to shop at small shops, the Prime Minister said more than 80 per cent of recipients have redeemed the aid so far.

He added that more than 2,000 small rural shops now accept transactions under the programme, compared to only about 180 when the initiative was first launched.

“The increase clearly shows that the programme’s implementation has not only eased the people’s affairs but also boosted local economic activities,” he said.

Responding to a supplementary question from Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS–Lubok Antu) on poverty reduction efforts in Sabah and Sarawak, Anwar said the government continues to prioritise low-income states and the interior regions through programmes such as STR and SARA, which record the highest distributions in states including Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah.

He added that aid distribution methods in longhouse areas are being adapted to local community structures to ensure recipients benefit effectively.

Answering a supplementary question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) regarding new indicators for measuring poverty and the use of the Main Data Base (PADU) data, Anwar said the government was coordinating the MyKad database with allocation records from federal, state, zakat and other aid agencies to avoid duplication and ensure that the aid reached the deserving groups.

"Apart from cash assistance, we are increasing programmes such as Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia and TEKUN so that families can generate a stable income and not return to poverty," he said

-- BERNAMA