INCREASING household income is the government’s immediate focus, which can help eradicate poverty, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said.

He said the government is investing in infrastructure to create sustainable income-generating programmes.

Speaking to reporters after attending the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) Power Chat and launching of the 17th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) in Putrajaya today, Rafizi said infrastructures are income-generating assets for participants or recipients from low income families.

He said once there is progress on increasing the income level of households, some of the factors taken into account in the multi-dimensional poverty index will improve, for example, access to the internet and health.

“As income levels increase, the quality of life also increases, so the focus is on increasing income levels. With better income, the people can manage the cost of living better and afford to have access to the other features of the multidimensional poverty index,” he said. – Bernama, September 13, 2023.