00:00 (sad music)
00:01 Having a roof over your head, a hot meal to eat,
00:04 and money in the bank account.
00:05 These are things we often take for granted.
00:09 But for many Malaysians, they remain a distant dream.
00:13 Although a good number have transitioned
00:15 from poor to middle class over the past decade,
00:18 many remain mired in hardcore poverty,
00:20 which in Malaysia today, refers to households
00:23 earning a monthly income of less than 1,169 ringgit.
00:27 The issue of poverty in Malaysia came under the spotlight
00:30 again recently when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced
00:33 that hardcore poverty had been completely eradicated
00:37 in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, and Negeri Sembilan.
00:40 But is there truth in what the Prime Minister said?
00:43 Pertiwi Soup Kitchen's Deputy President Laili Ismail said
00:46 the claim came as a shock to her.
00:48 She said the soup kitchen's distribution centers
00:51 have been consistently crowded,
00:53 serving approximately 3,000 meals weekly.
00:56 Laili said a census conducted jointly
00:58 with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall
01:00 and the Social Welfare Department
01:01 revealed that a sizable number of people
01:04 were without a roof over their heads.
01:06 In central KL, Bangkok Bank, and radius 300 meters,
01:11 there were at least 200 people, even a family with baby.
01:17 I was in Brickfields, there were about 50.
01:21 So I think other places also have within that range,
01:26 50, minimum 50, maybe up to 80 and 100,
01:31 but central KL was the most, 200.
01:35 In fact, Laili says more people have come to the soup kitchen
01:39 since the COVID-19 pandemic.
01:41 She has also noticed a shift in the demographics.
01:44 DBKR has also asked us to prepare,
01:47 in fact, the same or more after COVID.
01:53 But what we obviously see is that the demography,
01:57 there are more older people,
01:59 much, much more older people coming to get,
02:02 compared to before.
02:04 Before it's younger people during COVID.
02:06 One beneficiary did not hesitate to dispute claims
02:10 that there is no hardcore poverty in Kuala Lumpur.
02:13 People who say that have never lived in a situation like that.
02:16 They just feel like me, I'm poor.
02:19 People who say that,
02:20 do you know what my problem is?
02:22 They don't know.
02:24 So we need to help people like this,
02:26 then we have to give them the spirit.
02:29 Economist Goh Limtai from University of Malaya, however,
02:32 says Anwar's claim does have basis,
02:34 but may not be entirely accurate.
02:37 Based on the Department of Statistics
02:38 Malaysia's Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey 2022,
02:42 Goh says hardcore poverty in KL, Selangor, Putrajaya,
02:46 and Labuan stood at 0.0%.
02:49 But like any other statistic,
02:51 it is also important to consider the methodology of data collection.
02:55 The current figures primarily include households
02:58 that were accessible for interviews or surveys.
03:01 This approach may not fully capture the extent of homelessness,
03:05 or those living in remote rural areas,
03:07 potentially underestimating the true scope of hardcore poverty.
03:12 He suggested that the Statistics Department
03:14 partner with non-governmental organizations like food banks
03:17 for more accurate data.
03:19 To effectively tackle poverty,
03:21 Goh recommends integrated poverty alleviation programs
03:24 that offer incentives like monetary and food aid.
03:27 Other initiatives include ensuring that children receive proper education
03:31 by attending school,
03:32 and healthcare initiatives such as vaccinations
03:35 as practiced in Ethiopia, Brazil, and Mexico.
03:39 Eradicating poverty is a tall order,
03:41 but it is a mission the government must pursue
03:44 and a noble cause every Malaysian can and must contribute to.
03:48 Donny Shoja-Rizza, FMT News.
03:51 (gentle music)
