IPOH: Perak has succeeded in eradicating hardcore poverty involving 9,686 heads of household (KIR) for the period from 2024 to Sept 3.
State Women, Family, Community Welfare, Cooperatives and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed said the total involved 8,986 KIRs in 2024 and 700 KIRs as of Sept 3.
"… and this brings the number of hardcore poor KIRs to zero in Perak.
"This was done through various measures and approaches,” she said during the oral question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly sitting in Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here on Wednesday (Sept 10).
Salbiah was replying to a question from Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir (BN-Ayer Kuning), who asked about efforts or reforms that will be and are being implemented to eradicate poverty in Perak.
Elaborating, Salbiah said that as of Sept 3, Perak has also lifted 5,719 KIRs out of poverty, bringing the latest number of KIRs in the state to 2,064 or a 73.6 per cent reduction.
She said that among the measures taken to eradicate poverty included emphasising programmes to improve income through business equipment aid and job-matching initiatives, which helped participants to enhance their economy and that of their families.
"Many such programmes are provided by agencies like the Equipment Aid through the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) and the Gerak Grant via the Perak State Entrepreneur Secretariat (STeP).
"Also included are the Biznita Equipment Aid through the Perak State Women and Community Development Secretariat, job-matching through the Perak Youth Aspiration Centre (Pasak) and so on to ensure the income of this group can be enhanced,” she said.
She added that monthly assistance through the Social Welfare Department and the Perak State Women and Community Development Secretariat is still being continued for the targeted groups that are really in need. - Bernama
