PERAK is making significant strides in poverty reduction, with a rising “exit rate” signalling a positive trend, according to Datuk Salbiah Mohamed.
She said a total of 11,648 Perak households − representing 45% of registered cases − have successfully climbed out of poverty, significantly outpacing the 33% national target.
The state women, family, social welfare, cooperatives and entrepreneur development committee chairman said as of Dec 31, last year, the state reported that 732 heads of households had been lifted out of hardcore poverty.
“This achievement reflects the effectiveness of programmes, which focus on improving household income and reducing long-term dependency on aid.
“The primary benchmark used to evaluate the programme’s effectiveness is the Poverty Line Income (PLI) set by the Department of Statistics Malaysia and the Economy Ministry, which defines minimum income levels required to meet basic food and non-food needs.
“Under the current classification in Perak, per capita income thresholds for the hardcore poor is RM331 in urban areas and RM320 in rural areas, while the poverty line stands at RM769 in urban areas and RM656 in rural areas,” she said during the Perak State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan in Ipoh yesterday.
She said this in reply to Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir (BN-Ayer Kuning) who also asked how the state ensured those who genuinely needed assistance were not left out.
Salbiah said success was measured by whether households were able to rise above the poverty line.
“At the welfare level, programme effectiveness is also evaluated by the Social Welfare Department, whether assistance meets basic needs, supports rehabilitation and reduces long-term reliance on aid.
“As of March this year, a total of 55,514 recipients in Perak are receiving monthly financial assistance.
“Perak Islamic Religious Department and Malay Customs Council conduct impact assessments of zakat programmes in collaboration with academic institutions,” she added.
Salbiah said the state acknowledged that the challenge of addressing poverty was an ongoing effort.
“Through a comprehensive implementation system, strengthened by initiatives such as Social Prosperity One-Stop Centre Programme 2026, which is based on holistic family intervention, Perak is not only strengthening the assistance system but also streamlining the entire poverty management ecosystem.”
