KUCHING: A taskforce under the Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Ministry will be formed on June 1 to combat hardcore poverty in Sarawak.
The taskforce will be divided into three zone across the state (northern, central, and southern zones).
Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said each zone will have its own overseer with Datuk Felicia Tan Ya Hua, the ministry’s permanent secretary heading the taskforce.
“We are going to meet our collaborators, the various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other members involved in the taskforce, and we will brief them on what needs to be done.
“I believe we can help to reduce the hardcore poverty by 50 percent by 2026,” she told reporters after attending the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) appreciation night and Hari Raya and Pre Gawai Dinner 2024 at the Waterfront Hotel yesterday May 14.
Earlier, in her speech during the appreciation night, said that as of May 1, there are 17,482 household heads (KIR) listed as hardcore poverty group under the Sarawak E-Kasih Poverty Statistics.
“Therefore, one of our strategies to reduce the percentage of the hardcore poverty is that we continue to provide financial assistance to the people listed under the hardcore poverty bracket.
“At the same time, we will also use our database to check and examine, whether it is true or not they are hardcore poor based on their household income.
“And if it is not, then we have to take their name off the list,” she added.
Among those present during the appreciation night were Deputy Ministers Datuk Rosey Yunus and Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam.
