Sarawak revisting poverty numbers: Premier

KUCHING: Sarawak is revisiting its data on e-Kasih recipients to ascertain the actual number of those who come under the poverty category.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said as Sarawak is recognised as a high income state, over the years, the people have actually improved their economic position.

“That is why the state is studying to find out how many people are under the poverty category that has been defined.

“We need to see whether the list we have now is still valid or not. But I believe our poverty rate has gone down because we can see that the living conditions in the rural areas have improved.”

He said this during a press conference after chairing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) 6th Supreme Council Meeting at PBB headquarters here Saturday.

In light of this, he said the findings of the survey on poverty in the state will be announced during the tabling of the budget in November.

“With the state government allocating about RM20 billion for building and upgrading infrastructure, we hope the poverty rate in the state has decreased.

“Nevertheless, the Sarawak government will continue to strive in increasing the household income in urban and rural areas including sectors where they can increase their respective incomes,” he said.