State records big drop in hardcore poor households

SIBU: Sarawak recorded a significant decrease in the number of hardcore poor households in the e-Kasih data as of July 31 this year, with only 3,571 households.

Women, Childhood, and Community Well-being Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said in January 2023 the figure had stood at 30,346 households.

“We believe the decrease is partly due to income increases through social innovation and government policies,” she said at the 2024 Sarawak Women’s Day celebration here Saturday (Aug 10).

Fatimah also mentioned that her Ministry is confident about the increase in the Sarawak Social Wellbeing Index (SSWI) from 6.21 in 2019 to 7.18 in 2023.

“This increase is partly due to social innovation and government policies aimed at empowering and improving the well-being of women, guided by the pillar of social inclusivity in Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“We are also confident that various forms of social innovation through Sarawak government initiatives have helped increase household income and lift families out of poverty,” she added.

Regarding the Capital Grant Assistance for Women’s Empowerment initiative, with a total of RM2.3 million, she said that in 2023, it benefited 1,274 women entrepreneurs and generated a total income of RM757,269.87.

Meanwhile, on the programme, Fatimah said a total of 700 participants attended the celebration, themed ‘Sarawak Women in Innovation and Technology,’ both virtually and physically.

She added that various activities had been organised in conjunction with the celebration, including talks, book launches, and visits to the Temporary Transit Centre (TTG) for the homeless in Sibu.

The celebration also saw five Sarawakian women leaders and an organisation receiving awards presented by Premier  Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The recipients were Umang Nangku Jabu, who received the Premier Women’s Leadership Award; Lim Hii Ching (Premier Women Entrepreneur Award); Datin Sultan Patimah Ismail (Premier Women’s Social Activist Award); Associate Professor Dr. Siti Kudnie Sahari (Premier Special Achievement Award); Hannah Toh Hong Na (Premier Young Leader Award); and Destiny for Children Sibu (Premier Outstanding Organisation Award).

Also present were the Premier’s wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Fatimah’s deputies Datuk Rosey Yunus and Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam; Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee; and State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.