PUTRAJAYA, Dec 6 — The World Bank has commended Malaysia for its strong progress in eradicating poverty, particularly hardcore poverty, while noting that improvements to education and health outcomes are crucial to support inclusive and equitable growth.
World Bank senior economist for poverty and equity Ririn Salwa Purnamasari said Malaysia’s achievements over the past generation are “undeniable”, with hardcore poverty now almost eliminated.
“Malaysia’s efforts in poverty and inequality reduction have been impressive. Hardcore poverty is now almost nonexistent. The government’s target on eliminating hardcore poverty has essentially been met,” she said during a panel session at the National Public Service Reform Convention here today in conjunction with the Rancakkan Madani event.
Ririn stressed that the country must move beyond simply eradicating hardcore poverty and focus on ensuring broader and more equitable development.
“Malaysia’s success is not only about lifting people out of hardcore poverty. The country needs to have bigger ambitions,” she said.
She noted that Malaysia already has strong foundations in place, including high school enrolment, extensive healthcare coverage and the framework of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
“The next steps for Malaysia are not about doing more of everything, but about better connecting what Malaysia already has,” Ririn said, adding that the nation is well-positioned to achieve an inclusive, high-income future.
“Malaysia is on track to reach high-income status. In the next few years, God willing, Malaysia will enter the high-income (nation) category,” she said.
Education Ministry (MOE) director-general Mohd Azam Ahmad and influencer Dr Shazril Shaharuddin were also panellists during the 30-minute session.
The three-day Rancakkan Madani event, which began yesterday, offers more than 300 public service touchpoints, a career carnival, interactive showcases, family entertainment, and special promotions for visitors.
Organised by the Prime Minister’s Office through the Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit (PACU), the event targets 300,000 attendees.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will officiate the closing ceremony at 11am tomorrow.
Building on the impact of the “One Year with the Madani Government” and “Two Years with the Madani Government” programmes, Rancakkan Madani follows the annual tradition of reporting government achievements directly to the people.
Held simultaneously is the National Public Service Reform Convention, which gathers policy experts from the public sector and industry players.
