Govt sets sights on ending Kedah hardcore poverty in 2 months

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at a Madani Aidilfitri gathering in Alor Setar, Kedah, this evening. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The federal government is working with the Kedah government to eradicate hardcore poverty in the state within two months, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar said 2,500 households in the state are still categorised as hardcore poor, and the matter must be dealt with immediately.

“I have instructed the federal and state governments to assist them and eradicate hardcore poverty in Kedah within two months,” Anwar said, adding he was grateful that the PAS-led state government was providing its full cooperation.

He said this at the Madani Aidilfitri celebrations in Kedah today, also attended by Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor.

Anwar said the federal government allocation for Kedah’s rice production had been increased from RM3 billion to RM5 billion to enhance the state’s rice production.

He said the agriculture and food security ministry found that the previous allocation was insufficient for infrastructure to multiply rice production in Kedah. “This (increased allocation) would help meet the country’s demand for rice,” he said.

Anwar also said he has instructed the Islamic development department (Jakim) to distribute the Malay translation of “The Ethics of Disagreement in Islam” in schools to ensure that students can discuss different opinions about Islamic matters in a civil manner.

He added that another book “Al-Nawawi’s Forty Hadith” will also be distributed to the Muslim community so they can deepen their knowledge about Islam.