S’wak govt to announce survey results on rural poverty rates in State budget this Nov

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 6: The Sarawak government is expected to announce its survey results on rural poverty rates in the State budget this November.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the survey is conducted by the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and is currently ongoing.

“There are signs that poverty rates have declined because living conditions in rural areas have improved.

“The conditions of longhouses, including villages, have also changed, and those living in rural areas now owned four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles. If they are really poor, they won’t own a 4WD vehicle,” he told a press conference held after chairing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council Meeting held at PBB headquarters here today.

Abang Johari said the Sarawak government is also updating the E-Kasih information in the EPU database.

According to him, those previously listed under the old E-Kasih’s poverty category and who receive assistance have improved in times and are not under the category anymore because their livelihood and assets have improved.

However, he also said that because E-Kasih is a free assistance, some of those listed under the list want to remain it to enable them to receive continuous assistance.

“But in reality, from the economic data point of view, there should be precise data, and that is why the Sarawak government is conducting the survey to find out how many of those who are under the poverty category have been elevated out from it.

“So, based on the list, it has been reduced. This is the matter that we want to revisit,” he added. — DayakDaily