By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 23: Nearly 150,000 hardcore poor households recorded in 2023 had exited poverty by the end of 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed today.
He also announced that the government will launch the Sejahtera MADANI initiative tomorrow (July 24) to ensure continued support for hardcore poor and low-income groups through collaboration between the government and the corporate sector.
“This initiative continues our commitment to helping the poor through joint government-corporate efforts,” Anwar said during a special announcement broadcast live on local television this morning (July 23).
“My mission to end hardcore poverty has been a top priority from the start. Nearly 150,000 hardcore poor households recorded in 2023 have successfully escaped the poverty bracket by the end of 2024,” he added.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, stressed that the government would continue improving various forms of assistance to ease the people’s cost of living, a commitment he has upheld since the beginning of his administration.
Among the key milestones, he said a historic RM13 billion has been allocated to Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), the highest amount in Malaysia’s history.
Cash assistance under the Social Welfare Department (JKM) has increased to RM2.9 billion, including higher monthly support for senior citizens and children in poor families.
Support for paddy farmers includes a new Floor Price of RM1,500 per tonne in 2025, following hikes in 2022 and 2023, alongside an increased Paddy Price Subsidy Scheme of RM500 in 2023.
In the rubber sector, the Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) was raised to RM3 per kilogram in 2024, following increases in the two previous years. — DayakDaily
