Use access to clean water to measure poverty, says Muhyiddin

 

Muhyiddin Yassin said Putrajaya needs to look at poverty ‘from a much wider perspective’. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has urged the government to use access to clean water as one of the nation’s metrics for measuring poverty.

Muhyiddin (PN-Pagoh) told the Dewan Rakyat that Putrajaya needs to look at poverty “from a much wider perspective”.

He said Malaysia had been solely reliant on income level to measure poverty for a long time, and never considered access to clean water as an indicator, according to the World Bank’s definition.

“What is the point in the rakyat only receiving cash aid if their basic rights such as clean and treated water are denied?” he said while debating the bill to amend the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Act.

“If the government can increase and optimise its database, based on the water poverty indicator, it could become more efficient and organised in its efforts to improve access to water supply.”

He said that doing so would “propel” SPAN’s function as an entity responsible for guaranteeing access to water that is “comprehensive, clean and of quality” to all consumers.

The amendment to the SPAN Act involves 10 existing provisions and two additional ones that aim to empower and facilitate the commission in terms of financing, a shorter service period for commission members, and minimised powers for the natural resources, environment and climate change minister. - FMT