KOTA KINABALU (Bernama) – The number of heads of household (KIR) who are hardcore poor in Sabah has recorded a significant decrease of 89.9 per cent according to the eKasih database as of Feb 28 compared to the same month last year, the Sabah State Legislative Assembly was told Tuesday.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir said the number of KIRs categorised as hardcore poor had decreased to 1,464 as of Feb 28, compared to 14,553 KIRs recorded on Feb 29 last year.
He said the eradication of hardcore poverty in Sabah would continue to be monitored based on the Poverty Line Income (PGK), which is income below MYR1,218, taking into account the average household size of 4.3 with a per capita income of MYR288 for one household member.
“This KIR data is dynamic with status changes influenced by various factors including changes in the number of household members, income, assistance received or terminated as well as changes in information such as death or relocation to another state.
“The Sabah Government has commenced the provision of the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat (SYUKUR) assistance on Feb 17, 2025, and this measure is expected to continue to contribute to the reduction in the number of poor and hardcore poor in the eKasih system,” he said.
He said this when replying to an oral question from Jannie Lasimbang (PH-Kapayan) who asked for the number of recipients of the first phase of SYUKUR 2025 and what other initiatives are there to help the poor and hardcore poor who were dropped from the eKasih list so that they can also receive the same assistance.
Abidin said the first phase of SYUKUR 2025 involved 72,060 poor and hardcore poor KIRs listed in the eKasih system as of Dec 2024, and as of April 1, 95 per cent have received the assistance while the rest are in the process of updating the data.
“For those who are left out or not listed in the eKasih system, the state government has developed the Sabah State Database System (PADANS) so that those who are left out and eligible can apply online through this system.
“In addition, the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) secretariat is also working with grassroots leaders such as the Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) and District Offices in identifying KIRs in their respective districts who are left out and eligible,” he said.
He said as of March 31, a total of 270,272 applications had been received from registration through the PADANS system, UPPM and District Office lists, as well as engagement sessions with non-government state assemblymen for further verifications.
Abidin said the state government continues to strive to implement appropriate interventions to assist the poor and the hardcore poor based on five main thrusts, namely housing, education, employment, welfare or finance, entrepreneurship, and training assistance intervention.
