Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy), Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has said that the government will formulate a national policy on social protection to serve as a comprehensive framework. This is to better provide social assistance and protection to various targeted groups within the country.

“Reaching our goal of becoming a high-income nation by the end of 2025 will be a hollow achievement if income and regional disparities continue to widen and poverty rates remain high,” Datuk Seri Mustapa stated, adding that it is crucial for Malaysia to balance its economic growth with social development, and have a responsive social protection system.

“While poverty eradication has always been an important component of our development agenda, one of the most important programmes which will be implemented this year is eradicating hardcore poverty by the end of 2025,” Datuk Seri Mustapa added. 

In this regard, Datuk Seri Mustapa said that the government is currently running the first phase of the Keluarga Malaysia hardcore poverty eradication programme in 80 identified locations. The localities include urban and rural areas, as well as orang asli settlements throughout the country. 

Additionally, Datuk Seri Mustapa said that the government has also established a dedicated poverty unit within the Economic Planning Unit and at the state level, to enhance the integrity of the eKasih database and coordinate relevant programmes. To note, eKasih is a national poverty database that was developed to collect information on Malaysia’s poor households, and manage the assistance provided to them. 

On top of these efforts and various other existing programmes, Datuk Seri Mustapa also noted that the government will prioritise new initiatives to tackle poverty and socioeconomic issues among the people. This is to be carried out under the 12^th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), which also focuses on the social protection of the people.

“Emphasis will be placed on new approaches in addressing poverty, reducing disparities between low and high-income groups, more equitable bumiputera socioeconomic outcomes and enhancing the socioeconomic status of the orang asli,” Datuk Seri Mustapa explained. 

Ultimately, Datuk Seri Mustapa said that the successful implementation of the numerous programmes in place will help narrow the development gaps among the people in the country.

(Source: The Edge Markets)

• TAGS:
• 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP)
• Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed
• Economic Planning Unit
• eKasih
• Hardcore Poverty
• Keluarga Malaysia Hardcore Poverty Eradication Programme