32,452 Malaysians living in hardcore poverty nationwide

 

The eKasih system will be integrated with Padu to improve coordination in giving aid to the poor, said federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Some 32,452 Malaysians across the country are living in hardcore poverty as of Oct 31, says federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

Zaliha said this figure involved 7,308 heads of households and 25,144 household members.

“In terms of states, Penang recorded the highest with 6,644 individuals, followed by Kedah with 6,593 and then Sarawak at 5,923,” she said in a written parliamentary reply

Zaliha said the eKasih system, which serves as a national database on poverty, is continuously updated to reflect the latest situation in the country. This data is shared by the relevant agencies that distribute aid to those in need.

She said eKasih will also be integrated with the government’s central database hub, or Padu, to improve coordination in aiding the poor.

107 rescued from GISBH-linked homes reunited with families

Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri said 107 children rescued from raids on welfare homes linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) have been reunited with their families as of Nov 20.

She said these children have undergone mental health assessments by medical officers.

In September, police rescued more than 400 children aged between one and 17 years believed to have been exploited in charitable homes linked to GISBH. The raids revealed alleged neglect and abuse.

Some of GISBH’s top leadership were among 58 people detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, while its CEO, Nasiruddin Ali, and 20 others have been charged with being members of an organised criminal group since 2020. - FMT