CAP calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Malaysia’s poverty scandal
We refer to our Press Statement that was sent out on 3rd September titled ‘CAP calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Malaysia’s poverty scandal’.
Please refer to para 5 of our statement,
According to the Prime Minister’s economic adviser, Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid, official data shows that states like Johor, Melaka, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya had 0% poverty. One only needs to look at the increasing number of homeless children and the long lines at the soup kitchens in the heart of Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu or Johor Bharu to know that the official poverty rate cannot be so low. Unless, of course, our officials are blind to what is happening at the ground and are deaf to the plight of the poor.
We wish to clarify that Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid was quoting from the official data of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA). In his comment he had also stated that there is a need for Malaysia to change the current method to measure poverty rate.
We would appreciated it if you could print the necessary clarification. We thank you for your assistance and cooperation.
Thank you.
September 10, 2019