KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 — Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Putrajaya have reported zero hardcore poverty, based on eKasih data as of November 30, the Dewan Negara was told today.
In a written reply, the Economy Ministry said efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty have shown encouraging progress.
“Other states have also recorded a significant decrease in hardcore poverty incidence,” said the ministry in response to a question from Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz about the government’s efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty.
According to the ministry, the country’s total hardcore poor decreased to 2,191 heads of households as of November 30 from 91,789 on December 31, 2023.
Kuala Lumpur is at the top with 474 hardcore poor household heads, followed by Kedah (341), Sabah (289), Johor (275), Pahang (174), and Penang (122).
Other states are Selangor (112), Terengganu (103), Kelantan (99), Sarawak (91), Perak (62), and Labuan (49).
“Efforts to eradicate poverty face several challenges that make it difficult to eradicate immediately. Among them, the incidence of poverty is dynamic, with poor households changing constantly.
“In intensifying efforts to eradicate poverty, the government has and is implementing several medium and long-term initiatives in line with the Madani Economic Framework: Empowering the People,” the ministry said.
— Bernama
