Better wifi, roads, education, digital knowledge needed to end poverty, says expert
SHAH ALAM - Better social security system supported by good education, digital knowledge, better roads and internet connectivity was needed to end poverty in the country, said an expert.
Vice President of Society for Promotion of Sustainable Development Goals Malaysia (SDG) Dr Lin Mui Kiang said the average cost of living in Malaysia is roughly RM9,000 for a family of four while for a single person it comes to RM4,000.
But the minimum wage in Malaysia is now at RM1,500.
"We need to focus on ways to raise income through jobs, tax breaks, flexible working arrangements for B40 families to make it easier for parents to participate in the labour force, expanding childcare services and minimum wages as this would gradually ease the over-dependency on subsidies and cash assistance." she said to Sinar Daily.
.At the macro level, she said Malaysia faces a precarious economic recovery while in the micro-level, unemployment and underemployment, bankruptcy data, SME closures, inflation and lower growth prospects show the damage to the nation from the pandemic.
The pandemic has resulted in a sharp drop in income and wages besides job loss. In 2020, Malaysia reported an additional of 12.5 per cent of households with income of less than RM2,500." she said.
"The rich or those in the T20 group were also affected from this pandemic where 12.8% has shifted to the M40 group.
Dr Lin, who is also the Resource Person of All Parties Parliamentary Group for Sustainable Development Goals Malaysia (APPGM-SDG) said the government has outlined six priorities in addressing poverty and building an inclusive society.
These are empowering B40 group, supporting M40 towards equitable society, achieving an quitable outcome for Bumiputera and enhancing development of Orang Asli community.
"Special attention will be given to the poorest districts and locations in urban and rural areas in order to eradicate hardcore poverty and to narrow household inequality."
Lin said to ensure a more focused approach, Economic affairs minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed is committed to eliminating hardcore poverty by 2025 as targeted in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) with specific programmes in districts stricken with poverty.
However, she said government assistance to strengthen social welfare system is needed, and supported by education and digital technology. Quality infrastructure such as roads, electricity and internet connectivity nationwide was crucial to end poverty.
The government has said 195,664 hardcore poor families in the country, the highest number was recorded in Sarawak with 58,611 families, followed by Sabah (31,598 families), Kelantan (28,553 families) and Kedah (15,964 families).
