KUALA LUMPUR: The number of hardcore poor household heads recorded under the eKasih system has declined by 38.8 per cent, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Function) Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbon said as of Jan 31, there were 126,372 heads of households recorded under the hardcore poor category, as the target group for the implementation and monitoring of related poverty eradication programmes.
"As of Oct 31, a total of 77,288 heads of households are still in the hardcore poor category, resulting in a decrease of 38.8 per cent," he said in response to Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar).
She had asked about the number of poor people who were registered under the eKasih system.
Wilson added the eKasih system is a National Poverty Data Bank developed and implemented by the government in 2008 to aid in planning, executing, and monitoring programmes.
"It also integrates household data and information below the poverty line income," he said, adding that it aligns with the decisions of the cabinet meeting on August 8, 2007 and on October 31, 2007.
"The eKasih system provides a platform for all agencies involved in poverty eradication programmes to access the same poverty data and information at both the federal and state levels.
"Additionally, each ministry or agency is responsible for consistently updating information on the aid distributed within the eKasih system."