KUALA LUMPUR: Over 6,000 people from the B40 and hardcore poor categories have participated in the People’s Income Initiative as of October 21.
The Economy Ministry said over 40% of participants recorded monthly sales above RM2,000.
“The government has implemented intervention measures to eradicate poverty through cash assistance and in kind support, including the People’s Income Initiative,” it said in a written reply dated November 3.
As of October 21, 2025, 6,655 participants from the B40, poor and hardcore poor groups had joined the programme nationwide.
“In general, 40% of IPR participants have achieved monthly sales exceeding RM2,000,” it added.
The ministry said participants will be monitored periodically for 24 months.
Appropriate interventions will be implemented if participants face challenges in consistently increasing income, it added.
“The government aims for participants to independently manage income generating activities after the monitoring period,” it said.
To prevent target groups from falling back into poverty, the government also emphasises human capital development and financial literacy.
Under IPR, the Economy Ministry and Universiti Teknologi MARA provide Financial Literacy Courses to support long term sustainability.
Citing eKasih, the ministry said 78,240 households were in the hardcore poor category in January this year.
It said by August there were only 10 households in that category, all in Kelantan.
The ministry was responding to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN–Bera) on the status of hardcore poverty by state and month.
He also asked how many individuals have been lifted from hardcore poverty via IPR and how many entrepreneurs were produced.
