Shafie: Hardcore poverty definitions differ in Sabah

KUALA LUMPUR: Hardcore poverty definitions could differ in Sabah from those used in Peninsular Malaysia, says Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He stated that the Federal Government’s definition of hardcore poverty could not be directly applied when assessing poverty in Sabah.

Shafie noted that hardcore poverty in Sabah involved individuals earning a seasonal income from farming or fishing, unlike in Peninsular Malaysia, where the hardcore poor were often from low-income or unemployed groups.

“In Sabah, it’s seasonal. Sometimes there’s work, and other times there isn’t. Fishing is seasonal for them. They might be lucky to earn RM300,” he told reporters after meeting people in Kg Kuala Pantai Manis, in Papar district.

Shafie pointed out that in Peninsular Malaysia, people, whether they had a job or not, and earning less or more than RM600 were classified as hardcore poor.

However, Shafie supported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s pledge during the May 31 Kaamatan celebrations to eradicate hardcore poverty in Sabah within two months or by July this year.

Anwar believed that eradicating hardcore poverty in the state could be achieved as the number of households classified as hardcore poor in Sabah had dropped from 20,000 to 9,000.

“Who are they (hardcore poor)?” Shafie asked, pressing for a clearer definition to be used in assessing and identifying the hardcore poor.

He also felt that a realistic approach should be taken to tackle hardcore poverty and not rely solely on statistics or data.

Shafie said hardcore poverty exists in most districts in the state and that there is a need for the federal government to improve services in Sabah.

He added that Sabah still lags behind in health and education compared to Peninsular Malaysia, where such facilities are far better.