Poverty numbers only based on official figures from Stats Dept, says Rafizi

KUALA LUMPUR: Any numbers referring to poverty in the country are based only on official statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), says Rafizi Ramli.

In his winding-up speech during Budget 2024 debates at the committee stage, the Economy Minister cleared the air, following concerns raised by MPs on discrepancies in the total number of those in poverty and hardcore poor categories.

Explaining, Rafizi said this arose due to figures from the eKasih and iDamak databases which showed another set of numbers.

“The two databases began operating in 2007 until now, thus causing two sets of running numbers. Hence, any decision on poverty numbers is made referring to the official statistics,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 8).

He explained that the eKasih database also came with its own set of challenges, such as filtering and updating the figures.

“There are some who were previously registered in the eKasih database.

“Once they were in, they didn’t want to leave, even if they owned three cars now,” he said.

This, Rafizi said, raised concerns on how those coming to collect eKasih aid seemingly looked financially able.

“When there are challenges in filtering the figures, similar situations will persist. Hence, we agreed that the country’s poverty rate should be based on official statistics reports,” he said.

Rafizi said the official statistics showed 0.2% or some 18,000 households in the hardcore poor category.

Those who fell under the poverty line however were at 6% of the population or 206,000 households.

“Hence, there are many programmes such as the People’s Income Initiative (IPR) involving B40 income groups.

“There are programmes open to the hardcore poor and also those that fall under the poverty line,” he said.

Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) then asked what would happen to those who were not listed in the hardcore poor category based on DOSM statistics despite being listed as such in the eKasih database.

“What happens to the rest now that the government is saying there are only 18,000 hardcore poor households?” he asked.

Rafizi responded saying both figures were accurate, adding that the differences were in the number of hardcore poor households and those that fell under the poverty line.

“Hence, when we say we want to put an end to hardcore poverty, we are referring to the 18,000 households.

“The others will continue receiving their aid as usual,” he said.

Separately, Rafizi said the white paper on the progressive wage policy will be tabled in Parliament on Nov 30.