Study to ensure accurate poverty data for eKasih recipients

KUCHING: The study on Sarawak’s poverty rate data aims to ensure that the list of eKasih recipients truly consists of those who are hardcore poor and poor.

Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, the chief political secretary to the Sarawak Premier, said this study is a step to formulate new strategies to improve the economy of the people and the state as a whole.

“As an example, the eKasih data for the whole of Sarawak two months ago indicated there were 90,000 hardcore poor and poor.

“However, when we re-collected the data after two months, it decreased to 70,000, so we feel it is inaccurate.

“Therefore, it is important to collect accurate data on this so that we can formulate the right strategies. That’s all we are doing, and we are not being defensive about it.”

He said this when met by reporters after officiating the 2024 Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia Batu Lintang Campus Teaching School Programme at SK Matang here today (July 11).

Fazzrudin, who is also the Tupong assemblyman, pointed out that the issue of inaccurate eKasih data is still ongoing, even in his own constituency.

“I feel that the poverty rate in Sarawak according to eKasih is still inaccurate.

“For example, the eKasih list in my area includes some who should not be included, while some who should be included are not.”

He added that a third party had been appointed to conduct the study in collaboration with the University of Malaya (UM).

Earlier, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg confirmed that a data study on the poverty rate in Sarawak is underway.

He said the data study, expected to be completed by November, aims to ensure the eKasih list is updated more accurately, including listing recipients who have moved out of poverty.

According to Abang Johari, the study is being conducted by the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU).