MALAYSIA is a rich nation, blessed with abundant natural wealth and few disasters. Unfortunately the wealth of the nation has not been shared with the majority of the people, especially the poor. The top 20% of Malaysians own 60% of the wealth of the nation while the bottom 40% a mere 13%. Over the years, since our independence, wealth disparity between the richest and the poorest Malaysians has widened considerably.

Previous governments have proudly declared that poverty has been eradicated in Malaysia and that it is one of the lowest in the region. The poverty rate, according to our Statistics Department, is at 0.4% in 2016. The monthly household income figure used to calculate our national poverty rate is RM920 per month.

This current poverty line used in Malaysia is ridiculous. It is impossible for a family of two adults with 2-3 children to survive on RM 900 per month. It is to our shame that we manipulate facts and figures to hide the poverty of the people of Malaysia.

Poverty is especially devastating to children as they are the most vulnerable to its effects. Many children in our country die due to chronic malnutrition, directly or indirectly. Irreversible long term health and education inequalities are the consequence of poverty; perpetuating the cycle of poverty in the next generation. Our health services remain grossly underfunded, affecting the service delivered to those that require critical care.

We elect a government to support the people, especially those in need. But when we hide our poverty, we ignore the key work that the government must focus on.

For comparison, Japan (since we are looking east again) has a national poverty rate of 15%. In Japan, poverty is defined as the income of a household at or below half of the median household income – according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

This figure of 15%, in a very developed nation, makes our proud rate of 0.4% ludicrous. If we were to apply this more meaningful definition of poverty, from the OECD, then our median household income would be approximately RM 2,600 per month for a family of two adults with 2-3 children; still tough to survive on but much more realistic. This better definition would mean that our true rate of poverty in Malaysia is at least 40%.

There are many groups of Malaysians who live in poverty. Firstly, there is the abject poor who comprise our Orang Asli, Penan populations and also some inner city poor. Their numbers may be small in terms of percentage of the population, but these Malaysians live day to day just trying to keep their children fed and alive.

Then there is the larger group of Malaysians who are just barely making ends meet; they comprise more than 30% of our population. Many of these parents have to hold two jobs and some children have to work after school. They have no respite. No savings. No luxuries. No holidays. Little hope.

Amidst this poverty of 40% of our people is the luxury of many leaders. All over the country we have numerous examples of extravagant state buildings and complexes built at enormous cost. There is no pride in such structures, only shame. While the people struggle, our leaders live in affluence.

We would like to ask the new government – that we voted in – to truly start with a new Malaysia. Let us be meaningful in uplifting the entire nation, especially those in the bottom 40% economic bracket. We would like to suggest a few measures and directions.

Firstly and immediately, redefine poverty so that we can recognise the biggest challenge for the nation to overcome. A more meaningful index for poverty in Malaysia would be as used in OECD countries (50% of median household income).

Secondly, as it has been voiced by some ministers, have an economic policy that supports the poor regardless of their ethnicity. Supporting the poor will truly help shape the Malaysia of the future and allows us to share the wealth of the country.

Thirdly, please abandon and avoid mega projects that benefit rich businessmen with little impact to the common man. There are many spendthrift government activities that can be trimmed.

For example, reduce showy government functions with matching t-shirts and lavish meals in hotels that are so wasteful of government expenditure. Please let’s build smaller offices, more environmentally friendly facilities so that the money can go to uplifting the poor and entire nation in real terms.

We have a lot of work ahead of us to rebuild our nation. Let us make sure the one of the primary priorities is to truly eradicate poverty from our nation.

If Malaysians continue to remain in poverty then we as a nation have failed. – August 7, 2018.

* Amar Singh HSS and Lim Swee Im read The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.