KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 – In a parliamentary session on 14 March, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli provided clarity on the nuanced difference between efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty and the broader goal of ensuring overall poverty reduction in Malaysia. Responding to inquiries from Opposition lawmakers, Rafizi stressed that “hardcore poverty” and “poor” are not interchangeable terms, highlighting their distinct levels of economic hardship. He pointed out the fluctuating nature of the extreme poverty line, which guides government funding allocations for poverty alleviation programs based on annual reports.
Rafizi emphasized that while eradicating hardcore poverty remains a priority, it does not signify the complete eradication of poverty nationwide, as poverty is relative and subject to change over time. His remarks aimed to dispel misconceptions surrounding government initiatives and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s advocacy for hardcore poverty eradication. The clarification was prompted by a query from Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib (PAS-Maran), who sought information on the current number of hardcore poor individuals in the country. Ismail expressed concerns about ongoing discussions on extreme poverty and questioned whether related announcements in Budget 2023 were intended to divert attention from rising costs.
Rafizi reassured that data on extreme poverty is incorporated into official economic indicators, informing policy decisions. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has consistently highlighted the urgency of eradicating hardcore poverty, citing successful interventions in Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, and Melaka that have lifted households out of extreme poverty.
