KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — The national hardcore poverty rate recorded a decline to 0.09 per cent last year from 0.2 per cent the previous year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the decrease means about 7,000 people are classified as hardcore poor nationwide.
He said the success in reducing the poverty rate was the result of the Madani Government’s continuous efforts through various methods and initiatives.
“There are only three states where we still see hardcore poverty, and we will work to lower the rate.
“We have also introduced the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to align our efforts, so we are not only looking at finances, but also at overall facilities available to the people. There have been many good improvements in the data we are seeing,” he said.
He made these remarks when winding up the Supply Bill (Budget) 2026 policy-stage debate for the Finance Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Additionally, he stressed that the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda has never been sidelined by the government, and that through the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35), the agenda is being implemented across all ministries and agencies.
He said that in executing this agenda, the government is adopting a whole-of-nation approach, which not only involves the government but also various agencies.
“As a result, the implementation of the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda has shown good progress,” Amir Hamzah said.
