BY: AZLIZA ARIF

Several years ago, the Malaysian government declared that hard core poverty has been eliminated in the country, but it looks like those living below the poverty line have once again surfaced nullifying this declaration by the authorities.

The re-emergence of the hard core poor is due largely to the spiral in the cost of living and this has prompted individuals and organizations to seek financial assistance from the government or ‘rescue packages’ to help those now in abject poverty.

While the Madani government has committed itself to provide financial aid and assistance, and allowances to be used for the purchase of goods and groceries, those living in abject poverty need critical help in coping with rising costs.

Generally, the government has formulated mechanisms largely for those in the B40 and M40 groups, while monitoring the T20 group and leaving alone the super rich and elite to take care of themselves.

Given this current scenario, those in abject poverty have been overlooked and this is why the government must refocus its priorities as a section of those in the B40 group have descended into being hard core poor.

It is important that immediate and urgent action in the form of rescue packages be developed to help those in abject poverty, especially those living in the rural areas of Peninsular Malaysia and the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher