A MULTIDIMENSIONAL Poverty Index (MPI) is being considered to provide a more comprehensive measure of poverty that goes beyond income levels, says Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (pic).
He said poverty in Malaysia is currently assessed mainly based on income, but a broader approach is needed to better reflect people’s living conditions.
“We need to ensure fairness in the government’s efforts so that no group is left behind in terms of wealth and national development,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address for his ministry.
Akmal Nasrullah said the 2024 Household Income and Expenditure Survey recorded Malaysia’s absolute poverty rate at 5.1%, involving about 416,500 households, while the hardcore poverty rate stood at 0.09%, or around 7,200 households.
Poverty figures remain dynamic, with some households moving out of the hardcore poverty category while others may fall into it, he said.
“I prefer to look at poverty through the MPI lens, as it considers factors beyond spending power, such as access to reasonable housing and other non-monetary aspects of well-being.”
