Putrajaya admits poverty rate will go up

Malaysia’s official poverty line of RM980 monthly per household has been challenged by critics.

PUTRAJAYA: Putrajaya today warned that the poverty rate will increase in tandem with individual income per capita, which has doubled from 15 years ago.

Mustapa Mohamed, the minister in charge of economic affairs, said the income per capita was about RM20,000 in 2005, and has since increased to RM45,000.

“As income has doubled, it is impossible for the poverty line to remain at RM980,” he told reporters after attending the launch of the National Census Day.

Mustapa was asked for his response over recent remarks by a former United Nations official, who took the government to task over its commitment to take poverty seriously.

MORE TO COME - Mkini