THE target to eradicate hardcore poverty in the country by 2025 can be achieved through various initiatives and programmes implemented by the government, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed. 

He said the initiatives include the implementation of the Keluarga Malaysia Hardcore Poverty Eradication programme, introduced under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). 

“The government has allocated RM36 billion under the 12MP to eradicate poverty and set aside RM150 million for the programme. 

“By the end of 2025, the government can declare that there are no more hardcore poor families in Malaysia,” he said at the Keluarga Malaysia Symposium: Achievements and Hopes, which was officiated by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in Putrajaya, today. 

Mustapa, who presented a report titled Keluarga Malaysia in Dealing with Economic Challenges, said that to date, there are 136,000 hardcore poor families in the country, including in Sabah and Sarawak. 

In this regard, he said the first phase of the programme is being actively implemented, involving 80 localities nationwide. 

Mustapa said the government is focusing on implementing programmes to increase the people’s income to eradicate poverty in the country. 

“Programmes for human capital development as well as training and basic financial management courses are also being actively implemented,” he said. – Bernama, August 21, 2022.