Eradicating poverty regardless of race

Poverty sees no racial barriers

I refer to the report “UNDP: Intense poverty among Sabah, Sarawak and east coast residents” (Star,Dec 12).

It is not surprising that United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report identified the indigenous groups from Sabah and Sarawak and the Malays living in the east coast as among the poorest people in the country.

While it is encouraging to note that Malaysia had successfully reduced the poverty rate from 49.3% in the 1970s to 5.7% in 2004, there is still much more to done especially for the hardcore poor in our country. The poverty rate of 8.3% among the bumiputras and 2.9% for Indians is still not acceptable and more serious efforts must be put it in to reduce the rate further. The poverty line that was determined some years back may not be relevant now due to escalating inflation. The poverty line for Peninsular Malaysia in 2004 was RM543, while it was RM704 for Sabah and RM608 for Sarawak. There is a need to revise the poverty line to a more realistic level as inflation is increasing at such a highly alarming rate.

Poverty is a social ailment that has no racial or religious barriers and the government is right in saying that poverty eradication programmes should be carried out irrespective of race. There is no doubt that the government is carrying out numerous programs to eradicate poverty among the people but still much more to be done. The poor of all races must be identified and special incentives provided to help them out of their poverty. The poor from all races should be given some priorities over others for education, scholarships, training and job opportunities.

In helping the poor to come out of their socio-economic doldrums care must be taken that they are not over-protected whereby they become permanently dependent on government aid to survive. They should be helped to become independent and the aid given should only be temporary until they can stand on their own feet.

Towards this end it would be useful to provide the education and training necessary to equip them adequately to compete in an open market system. Unless they are forced to compete with those better than them, no amount of financial aid is going to uplift them in the long run. It must be emphasized over and over that there are no shortcuts to come out of poverty other than hard work, commitment and perseverance.

Malaysia has abundant natural resources that, if properly managed and shared, are sufficient for all, for generations to come. Above all the greatest asset we have is our diverse cultures and traditions which give the unique advantage over many. All we need is to cherish and nourish this asset and harness the tremendous energy that radiates from our unity in diversity. Poverty of any sort, among any community, if allowed to perpetuate will ultimately be detrimental to all.

Dr.Chris Anthony