Co-ordinate efforts to tackle urban poverty

WHEN launching a one-day national conference on urban poverty jointly organised by the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (Asli) and the Yayasan Strategik Sosial (YSS) in Kuala Lumpur recently, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stated that although both absolute and rural poverty had declined considerably in the country due to past poverty eradication efforts, there were indications that urban poverty might be worsening.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that "new forms of poverty are emerging while present and new in-equalities may be increasing".

He called on Malaysians to be vigilant to these changes and be prepared to adjust and amend policies to deal with the situation. The DPM should be lauded for recognising that urban poverty may be worsening and that innovative approaches should be considered to balance the strategies and programmes for the rural poor and the urban poor. I wish to commend both Asli and YSS for organising the conference to raise awareness of the need to reduce and eradicate urban poverty as well as to develop the capacity to initiate, formulate and recommend urban poverty eradication strategies to the Government for its consideration. In any discussion on urban poverty, it is vital to empower the poor to overcome poverty in partnership with government agencies, institutions, social movements and the communities at large.

The recognition of urban poverty has become an important international agenda, due mainly to the increase in the urban population resulting from the migration of people from rural areas to urban centres in search of employment and a better quality of life. The poor in Malaysia now comprise both the rural and urban folk. Thus, poverty eradication programmes must take the urban poor into account. If neglected, we risk creating a potential source of instability that could undermine law and order, peace and harmony, which are vital for economic growth and prosperity as well as national well-being. Malaysia's growth, progress and prosperity will not be meaningful if there is tension and unrest arising from urban poverty. Kampung Medan is a good example in this regard.

Malaysia's record on poverty eradication has been impressive. Poverty alleviation policies and programmes over the years have reduced the incidence of poverty from 52.4 per cent in 1970 to 9.6 per cent in 1995 and 6.8 per cent in 1997. (The Economic Planning Unit of the PM's Department pegs the poverty level as having a household income below RM510 for Peninsular Malaysia; RM685 for Sabah and RM584 for Sarawak). As Abdullah pointed out, poverty, be it urban or rural, is an unacceptable human condition and constitutes a denial of human rights. We need to identify the critical issues and concerns of the urban poor such as those relating to affordable housing and access to services such as health, education, welfare and employment opportunities. Also, to identify programmes specifically designed to address urban poverty, including delivery mechanisms and allocation of public resources.

The mobilisation of several ministries to tackle urban poverty is a move in the right direction, but equally important is co-ordination and co-operation among the government bodies involved. The time has come to establish a separate department or agency with adequate financial resources and personnel to deal with urban poverty in a more co-ordinated manner.

(Submitted on 11th November 2002)