Malaysia towards zero poverty by 2020
Since 1970, Malaysia have been adopted various policies to reduce poverty and address the socio-spatial inequality. These policies managed to reduce poverty rate from 52.4% in 1970 to 1.7 % in 2012. However, inequalities and disparity among regions and ethnic groups have not been properly address...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2015
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/35058/1/PPIK1.pdf http://eprints.usm.my/35058/ |
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| Summary: | Since 1970, Malaysia have been adopted various policies to reduce poverty and
address the socio-spatial inequality. These policies managed to reduce poverty rate from 52.4% in
1970 to 1.7 % in 2012. However, inequalities and disparity among regions and ethnic groups have not
been properly addressed. Policies that worked well nationally might not be suitable to be used in
addressing poverty at local level. Thus, this paper aims to critically look at the strengths and
weaknesses of such policies particularly in eliminating poverty. The paper is based heavily on the
review of the recent literature and the data gathered from Economic Planning Unit-EPU and the
Department of Statistics, Malaysia. Empirical experiences have shown that Malaysia has managed to
reduce poverty beyond the declaration of MDG; halving poverty by 2015. However several issues
need to be addressed as the country aim to be a developed nation with zero poverty as indicated in its
vision 2020. Although the slogan "growth with equity" was used, spatial disparities were found
among region such as between Sabah and Penang. Penang State, which has experienced steady
economic growth, has implemented top-up model of eliminating poverty where families earned less
than poverty income line received top-up income from the state government since 2013, claimed to
have zero poverty rate. However, the sustainability of this approach is questionable. In addition to
that, the sign of incidence of poverty between rural and urban and among ethnic minorities is quite
clear. This inequality with external factors (illegal migration and global economy) poses some
challenges for achieving the vision 2020. By evaluating the policies and analyzing regional disparities
the paper will enrich the literature on poverty and help the planners to formulate sound poverty
eradication polices. |
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