END THE POVERTY

 

Poverty is a complex and multidimensional condition characterised by a lack of resources, including financial, educational, and social resources, that are necessary for a basic standard of living. Individuals or communities experiencing poverty often face difficulties in meeting their basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, education, and healthcare. Poverty can manifest in various forms, including absolute poverty (where individuals lack the basic necessities to survive) and relative poverty (where individuals have fewer resources compared to the wider society).

            The eradication of poverty, as outlined in SDG 1: No Poverty, is a crucial aspect of economic and developmental strategies for all nations. SDG 1 aims to achieve a significant reduction in poverty levels by 2030, specifically targeting men, women, and children of all ages. The objective is to decrease poverty in all its dimensions, as defined by each country, by at least 50%. Overall, despite Malaysia's projected transition to a high-income nation within the next three to five years, it has not yet attained the set target for SDG 1. The country continues to face substantial obstacles in this regard (World Bank, 2021).

            According to the Malaysian government, poverty is defined as families earning between the Poverty Line Income (PLI) of RM800 and those families living below the national median household earnings by 50%. As of 2023, the official statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) showed that approximately 0.2% or some 18,000 households are in the hardcore poor category, and those who fell under the poverty line, however, were at 6% of the population, equivalent to 206,000 households.

            Most of states in Malaysia have a high percentage of absolute poverty, except for two developed states, Selangor, and Penang, as well as the Federal Territories of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya stand out as the top performers, with only 0.2% and 0.4% incidences of absolute poverty respectively. On the other hand, Sabah has the highest incidence of absolute poverty at 19.5%, followed by Kelantan at 12.4% and Sarawak at 9%. These three states face significant challenges in achieving the SDG 1 goal due to their low scores in poverty reduction efforts.

Malaysia had been experiencing positive progress in reducing absolute poverty before the pandemic, with a decrease from 7.6% in 2016 to 5.6% in 2019. However, a recent report by DOSM (2020) indicates a rise in the prevalence of absolute poverty, reaching 8.4% in 2020. This increase can be attributed to the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, both directly and indirectly impacting Malaysia's economy.

            As for relative poverty, data from the Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey (2019) revealed that the incidence of relative poverty has increased from 15.9% to 16.9% between 2016 and 2019. The best performers are Pahang, with only 6% of the population living in relative poverty, followed by Terengganu (8.2%) and Kelantan (9.9%). Melaka is the worst performer in this category, with 17% of the population living in relative poverty. Also, in the red zone are developed states such as Selangor and Johor, with 15.3% of the population living in relative poverty, followed by Sarawak at 15.2%. These data present a contrasting perspective when compared to the data on absolute poverty. It is important to acknowledge that relative poverty persists even in states or countries with high income levels, as it is a measure of social and welfare deprivation relative to other households.

Thus, how can I, as a normal citizen, contribute to helping to solve this problem?

During my time in high school, there was an annual charitable initiative called 'Kifu Ramadan' that my school organised during the month of Ramadan. The main objective of this programme was to support the underprivileged individuals living in Kampung Sungai Tangkas. Its purpose was twofold: to provide assistance to those in need and to instill a sense of gratitude among the students.

To ensure the success of the programme, the school encouraged active participation from all students. Each class was assigned the task of preparing two bags filled with traditional food items typically enjoyed during the festive season of Raya. These bags were expected to contain popular dishes such as rendang, ketupat, kuih raya, and other delectable treats.

The preparation process for these bags was a collaborative effort among the students. Firstly, we need to gather in our respective classrooms, bringing along the necessary ingredients and utensils. Next, we would start the process by cooking the various dishes, following traditional recipes passed down through generations. The aroma of spices and flavours filled the air, creating a sense of warmth and togetherness. Each of us took on a specific role, whether it was marinating the meat for rendang, weaving the ketupat leaves, or meticulously decorating the kuih raya.

Once the dishes were cooked and the bags were filled, we needed to gather in the school's assembly hall for a special ceremony. The bags were arranged in neat rows, showcasing the students' hard work and dedication. Our school principal would give a heartfelt speech, emphasising the importance of giving back to the community and expressing gratitude for the blessings they had.

After the ceremony, the bags of food were loaded onto trucks and transported to Kampung Sungai Tangkas. My classmates and I eagerly accompanied the delivery, excited to witness the impact of our efforts firsthand. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the grateful smiles of the underprivileged individuals, who were overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness shown by us.

The distribution process was organised and efficient, ensuring that each family received their fair share of the food. We also took this opportunity to interact with the community members, listening to their stories and gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges they faced. This experience not only opened our eyes to the realities of poverty but also instilled a sense of empathy and compassion.

Kifu Ramadan became a cherished tradition in my high school. It's not only fostering a spirit of unity and compassion among the students but also cultivating the nature of helping each other, especially those in need.