KUALA LUMPUR: The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) reflects the government’s commitment to improving the lives of the economically disadvantaged communities so that they are not marginalised, say economists and social experts.

       They told Bernama the plan was in line with the Malaysian Family concept espoused by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       Economic analyst Assoc Prof Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said the government’s focus on eradicating poverty was timely as data had shown that following the Covid-19 pandemic, the average income of the people has reduced by 9% while over 700,000 people were jobless.

       “The number of people in the hardcore poor category has also increased while many who were previously in the M40 group have slipped to the B40 group due to dwindling incomes.

       “This is a very serious matter and must be addressed quickly to prevent other problems from cropping up, namely criminal and social issues,” he said.

       While praising the efforts outlined in 12MP to increase household income and bridge income gaps, Prof Ahmed Razman said initiatives in the form of aid targeted at the B40 group, although still relevant, were only a short-term measure to address poverty.

       He said the 12MP’s Urban Community Economic Empowerment Programme and the People’s Well-being Development Scheme (for rural communities) were necessary to help the hardcore poor and B40 communities to emerge from the clutches of poverty.

       “I hope these two programmes will not just focus on extending capital and providing them with a site where they can do their business.

       “The programmes should also focus on human capital development as well as coaching and mentoring them,” he said.

       Under the 12MP, targeted assistance such as cash and social protection will be extended to those who are eligible for the aid.

       A total of RM1.5bil has been allocated for both programmes to enhance the well-being and purchasing power of the B40 group.

       Universiti Malaya Faculty of Economics and Administration senior lecturer Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub lauded the move to establish a special unit at the federal and district office levels to tackle poverty, saying that it would reduce bureaucracy and ensure that the targeted groups have access to the aid as soon as possible.

       “We have the Social Welfare Department and other agencies to improve the standard of living of the poor but there are significant weaknesses that hampered the full realisation of the objectives of poverty eradication programmes.

       “With the establishment of the new unit, funds can be channelled by the government directly without having to go through too many layers of bureaucracy,” he said.

       He added, “The authorities should go to them by mobilising the poverty eradication machinery nationwide and speed up the process.”

       Commenting on the house ownership issue among the B40, geostrategist Azmi Hassan said although it was not directly linked to poverty eradication, providing affordable housing could help reduce living expenses, especially those in urban areas.

       The government has allocated RM2.25bil under the 12MP for housing assistance for the poor.