THE Negri Sembilan government aims to eradicate hardcore poverty by the end of the year or earlier, said deputy state secretary Muhamad Nahar Mohd Sidek.

The state Economic Planning Unit (EPU) director said based on the National Poverty Data Bank System (e-Kasih), the number of household heads in the state was 3,530 as of February 13.

He said e-Kasih data showed the number decreased to 2,851 people as of May 31.

“Although the number of hardcore poor household heads in the state decreased by 79 people over three months, the number is still high.

“Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun is targeting for the state to be hardcore poverty-free earlier, that is, by the end of this year, and for that purpose, the state government has planned integrated action with state departments and agencies,” he told Bernama.

Among the departments and agencies involved are district offices, the state Islamic Religious Affairs Department, the state Islamic Religious Council, and the state Social Welfare Department.

Nahar said the Hardcore Poverty Eradication (HPE) programme, which began last year, involves strategic cooperation between the federal and state governments, public universities, civil society organisations and other agencies.

Nahar said RM4.76 million has been allocated to the state government via the Negri Sembilan Development Corporation, a strategic partner in the implementation of the HPE programme.

“For phase one of the HPE programme, there are four selected pilot projects involving 68 hardcore poor household heads. The performance of the participants will be evaluated weekly through reports submitted to the EPU,” he said. 

He said the state also runs the People’s Income Initiative launched by the federal government, which comprises the Services Operator Initiative, Agro Entrepreneur Initiative and the Food Entrepreneur Initiative. – Bernama, June 23, 2023.