By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, June 5 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari is sure hardcore poverty in Selangor can be eradicated by July, highlighting the efficacy of the state’s strategy.
Amirudin said the latest statistics showed fewer than 250 families are in the hardcore poor category in Selangor.
He said the state Economic Planning Unit has been instructed to disburse surplus funds — which comes up to RM300 in monthly aid for each identified household — from the Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selangor programme.
“With several initiatives by the state government, we believe that by July, we will be able to eradicate hardcore poverty using formulas we have implemented,” he said at today’s launch of the PLATS Biaya scheme at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building here.
However, Amirudin said, addressing hardcore poverty is an ongoing effort for the state government that will not cease, even after the goal to eradicate hardcore poverty is achieved.
“Does eradicating hardcore poverty by July mean we are satisfied? Of course not.
“It doesn’t mean that poverty is completely eradicated, as people may fall in and climb out of this category periodically. But we will continue to identify and assist families in need,” he said.
On May 1, Amirudin said Selangor aims to eradicate hardcore poverty in Selangor by July, with 861 families falling into the bracket then.
The Menteri Besar had attributed the state’s rapidly declining hardcore poverty rate to the administration’s strong teamwork.
