By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, June 6 — With hardcore poverty almost completely resolved in Selangor, the administration is looking into urban poverty next.
This is according to Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, who vowed his administration will not rest on its laurels until poverty in the inner cities of Selangor is resolved.
“Based on the data at hand, and due to our closer relationship with the federal government, we have managed to vastly shrink communities who struggle with marginal jobs and limited salaries, forcing them to live in poverty.
“Certainly, I am proud of this achievement, but we cannot be complacent or let any family fall through the cracks.
“We still have some way to go to overcome relative poverty in urban areas, especially as more than 85 per cent of Selangor’s population live in urban townships,” he said in his speech at Tasco Bhd’s Triple Grand Celebration here today.
Yesterday, Amirudin expressed his confidence that hardcore poverty in Selangor can be eradicated by July, highlighting the efficacy of the state’s strategy.
He noted the latest statistics showed fewer than 250 families are in the hardcore poor category in the state, adding that the government will channel aid to help them climb out of the poverty bracket.
However, the Menteri Besar said addressing absolute poverty is an ongoing effort for the state government that will not cease.
On eradicating poverty across the board in Selangor, Amirudin today reaffirmed the state’s commitment to expand its economic activity through various policies and initiatives under the First Selangor Plan.
This includes creating 100,000 high-income jobs to expand the middle and upper classes of society.
