Significant reductions in hardcore poor households, says Deputy Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of heads of households in the hardcore poor category recorded under the e-Kasih system has dropped by 38.8% in the first 10 months of this year due to the government's poverty eradication programme, the Parliament heard.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak and Special Affairs) Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong said as of Jan 31, a total of 126,372 household heads were categorised as hardcore poor.

"However, as of Oct 31, some 77,288 household heads were found to fall under this category, showing a drop of 38.8%.

"The e-Kasih system allows all government agencies involved in the poverty eradication programme to access data and information both at the federal and state level.

"So, each ministry and agencies is responsible to consistently update aid information to the e-Kasih system," he said in reply to a question from Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) during Question Time on Wednesday (Nov 15).

Halimah had asked the government to reveal the latest figures of household heads categorised as hardcore poor under the e-Kasih system and the latest progress of its poverty eradication programme.

Ugak Kumbong said the government will continue to cross check all of its data to ensure that aid-providing agencies will have access to the accurate recipients.

"This data is shared with relevant agencies for intervention measures such as welfare assistance and income, skills, and education data.

"This data is periodically updated to better contribute to reducing the poverty rate across the country," said the Deputy Minister.