By Norrasyidah Arshad
HULU SELANGOR, May 9 — The hardcore poverty rate in the Hulu Selangor district has significantly declined, with fewer than 10 families in the group.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said that this was achievable due to the state government’s welfare initiative, Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selangor (Bingkas), which has more than 1,000 quotas available for recipients.
He said the implementation of these measures would also help the state achieve its zero hardcore poverty target as early as July.
“Previously, 861 families in the state were part of the hardcore poverty group. However, this morning (yesterday), the Selangor Economic Action Council’s report showed that the figure dropped to 425, which is a reduction of almost 50 per cent.
“Currently, there is about 6 per cent left compared to the 8,000 families previously reported. We are confident we can eradicate hardcore poverty by July, and I will liaise with the Selangor Zakat Board to achieve this,” he said during a “ceramah kelompok” programme for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election at Balairaya Kampung Kelapa, here last night.
Amirudin also stated that the most recent data in Hulu Selangor showed a significant decline, with fewer than ten families classified as “hardcore poor” as a result of the stability that the aligned Unity governments at the state and federal levels had brought.
The Selangor Pakatan Harapan chairman added that the implementation of 46 welfare programmes by the state administration had also contributed to the decline in the state’s hardcore poverty rate.
On May 1, Amirudin said that the Selangor government aims to eradicate hardcore poverty in the state by July.
To reach the target, he said that the state government would include the affected families as Bingkas recipients, making them eligible for the RM300 assistance per month or RM3,600 yearly.
