Poverty eradication should also focus on absolute poverty level

KOTA KINABALU: The Wira Parti Warisan reminded Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor and his State Cabinet ministers that poverty eradication in Sabah should not only focus on reducing hardcore poverty incidence in the State but also the absolute poverty level.

Its information chief, Mohammad Norizhuan Awang, said that this is so since absolute poverty would correlate with the economic well-being of Sabahans, especially in relation to their income.

“Five districts in Sabah registered high incidences of absolute poverty in 2022 namely, Pitas (52.7 pct), Tongod (50.8 pct), Kota Marudu (49.9 pct), Kudat (34.7 pct) and Kalabakan (33.3 pct).

“Sipitang had registered a double digit increase from 10.5 pct (2019) to 22.1 pct (2022) and while Wira do not have the details why this happened, we believe this is due to the district’s over-dependence on singular industry namely the oil and gas industry.

“While other districts registered marginal reduction of at least five points, Tuaran registered an increase from 16.7 pct (2019) to 25.8 pct (2022),” he said in a statement on Friday.

Mohammad stated that the wing believes absolute poverty incidence in Sabah can only be reduced by having a strong, competent leadership to implement specific economic blueprint, policy or direction.

“Almost four years have already passed and while GRS had undoubtedly come out with several blueprints and initiatives, most notably the SMJ Roadmap and Sabah Agriculture Blueprint in 2021, it is apparent that most of these plans failed to produce the desired results,” he said.

Mohammad also said that eradication of absolute poverty in Sabah requires new approach in view that the existing template that has been in usage for more than 20 years which focuses on production and exportation of raw commodities is unable to increase the living standards of Sabahans in the rural areas.

“Hence, it is to our belief that the State must reduce its overdependence on export of raw commodities such as oil, gas and crude palm oil as the main source of revenue and to quickly promote and enhance the manufacturing sector by focusing on the diversified downstream industries because this generates more employment for the Sabahans.

“We also believe that State’s poverty eradication programme such as MESEJ program must be reviewed and enhanced to enable it to benefit not only the participants but also the local community as well through strategic downstream industries,” he added.