Muhyiddin casts doubt over govt’s hardcore poverty eradication goal

 

Eradicating hardcore poverty is one of the focus areas in the 12MP mid-term review tabled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) has raised doubt over the unity government’s goal to eradicate hardcore poverty.

The Perikatan Nasional chairman questioned whether the poverty line used by the government is still realistic, given the current situation with inflation and cost of living rising.

“In reality, the approach to wiping out poverty has shifted from solely focusing on household income to addressing multi-dimensional poverty, which includes education, healthcare, basic necessities and overall quality of life.

“Therefore, a realistic poverty elimination model must be established first before making promises to eradicate poverty,” he said when debating the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review today.

Eradicating hardcore poverty is one of the focus areas in the 12MP mid-term review tabled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday.

In June, Anwar said the entire government machinery would be asked to work together to eradicate hardcore poverty this year.

Data shows that the number of hardcore poor households in Malaysia had dropped from 124,744 to 118,217 in the five months leading up to May 15.

Currently, the poverty line is set at RM2,208 while a household is deemed hardcore poor if its monthly income is less than RM1,169.

Muhyiddin also said there is a need for decisive government action to control rice prices so it remains affordable for the people.

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“Up to this point, it seems that the government has not taken immediate and effective measures to alleviate the people’s concerns. Rice is a staple food for the people. It is a controlled item,” he said.

The former prime minister was expressing his view on the rising price of rice, the “loss” of local rice, and the influx of high-priced imported rice.

Last Thursday, the government announced restrictions on the sale of local white rice, limiting each customer to 100kg with immediate effect.

This comes after national rice importer Bernas raised the price of imported white rice by 36%. - FMT