AS of Oct 1, there are no households in Sarawak, including the Kabong constituency, that fall under the hardcore poor category.
Deputy Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam said that this is based on the 2022 Poverty Line Income for hardcore poor, which is RM1,298 per month.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Mohd Chee Kadir (GPS-Kabong) in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Mohamad Razi added that while Kabong has 726 households classified as poor, none are considered hardcore poor.
“The government continues to prioritise programmes that assist low-income and vulnerable groups across the state, ensuring no one is left behind,” he said.
He highlighted some of the ongoing initiatives in Kabong, including cash assistance schemes such as Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak, Endowment Fund Sarawak, and Bantuan Ibu Bersalin, as well as support for children, senior citizens, and female-headed households.
“In addition, we provide entrepreneurship support through grants like Geran Usahawan Wellbest and Geran Agropreneur Muda, and income-generating equipment for low-income families under the Low Income Family Empowerment Program,” he added.
The deputy minister also emphasised the role of skills training and medical aid in addressing poverty.
“Through various skill enhancement programmes and medical assistance, including support for patients requiring dialysis and orthopaedic devices, we are ensuring holistic support for our people,” he said.
He noted that the eKasih system, a national poverty database developed by the Prime Minister’s Department, allows the state to monitor, plan, and evaluate poverty alleviation programmes effectively.
“e-Kasih provides comprehensive data on household profiles, income, education, and assistance received, enabling targeted interventions,” he said.
According to the latest eKasih statistics, Sarawak has zero hardcore poor households, with a total of 32,430 households classified as poor across all districts. Kabong alone accounts for 726 of these households.
“The government remains committed to reducing poverty further through integrated support measures, ensuring the well-being of every Sarawakian,” he said.
