Only 2,191 families remain in the hardcore poverty bracket

Malaysia is on track towards eradicating hardcore poverty with only 2,191 families still remaining in that category, revealed Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.

The above mentioned figure is in contrast to 91,789 families recorded the previous year.

In addition to that four states have recorded zero cases of hardcore poverty. The four are – Putrajaya, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Perlis, Rafizi revealed based on data from e-Kasih, in a written reply to Senator Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Aziz at the Dewan Negara.

Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number of hardcore poor at 474 families.

This was followed by Kedah (341), Sabah (298), Johor (275), Pahang (174), Penang (122), Selangor (112), Terengganu (103), Kelantan (99), Sarawak (91), Perak (62), and Labuan (49).

Rafizi added there are challenges in determining hardcore poverty since poverty is dynamic and fluid.

“There is also a ‘moral hazard,’ where some households prefer to remain recipients of aid rather than make an effort to improve their situation,” he added.