14,041 Households Lifted Out Of Hardcore Poverty In Kelantan - Nik Nazmi

KOTA BHARU, Jan 9 (Bernama) – A total of 14,041 household heads (KIR) in Kelantan were successfully lifted out of hardcore poverty last year through a two-phase initiative, Kelantan State Development Action Council (MTPNg) joint chairman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said.

The first phase, implemented on July 1, saw 12,280 households removed from the poverty category, while the second phase, conducted on Dec 31, involved 1,761 households.

Nik Nazmi said the initiative was in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive during the Special Kelantan State Development Meeting on May 2 last year to eliminate hardcore poverty in the state.

“This is a continuous battle against poverty. While it may not be resolved within a short time frame, InshaAllah, these efforts will bring meaningful change to the lives of affected communities,” he said during a press conference after delivering his New Year’s message at the Kelantan State Development Action Council meeting here today.

Nik Nazmi, who is also the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, added  that poverty is a dynamic issue requiring long-term strategies and collective efforts.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely, as the number of hardcore poor households can fluctuate over time,” he added.

Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, reaffirmed on Jan 1 that poverty alleviation in Kelantan remains a federal government priority, focusing on coordinated welfare initiatives and direct assistance.

In May last year, Prime Minister Anwar reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling hardcore poverty alongside improving infrastructure and basic amenities under the MADANI Government framework.

He directed federal agencies, including the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department and the State Secretary’s Office, to expedite solutions within two months.

-- BERNAMA