Penang’s poverty figures don’t reflect reality, says group

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Hindu Association (PHA) has disputed a report claiming that hardcore poverty has been nearly eradicated in Penang, saying many families are still struggling to survive as costs continue to rise.

The association’s president P Murugiah claimed that poverty was so serious in Penang that poor families were giving up their children to other parties as they cannot afford to care for them.

“The severity of this situation can be seen when parents are forced to send their children to orphanages because they cannot afford to raise them.

“Some of these families have up to eight children. The women, family, and community development ministry must identify these families and provide advice on family planning to match their financial circumstances.

“Many people are still struggling due to hardcore poverty and the number of urban poor is on the upward trend,” he said in a statement.

Murugiah invited politicians to see these real life cases at the regular charity events PHA holds, adding that some families were living on just one meal a day.

“We invite policymakers who are sceptical of these claims to attend our charity aid sessions to see the real situation at the grassroots level.”

He was responding to a Penang Institute report last October which claimed that hardcore poverty “has been virtually eliminated” in the state.

However, the state government funded think tank said relative poverty remained high, affecting at least 10% of households in Penang.

The highest absolute poverty rate in Penang as of 2022 was 3.7% in Seberang Perai Utara, while the Barat Laut district recorded the lowest at 0.7%, the report said.

Last May, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow declared that hardcore poverty had been eradicated in the state, with just 45 hardcore poor households in April 2024 compared with 4,949 in January 2023.

However, Murugiah said these figures did not tally with the realities on the ground.

“In Penang, rental prices and basic food costs have gone up steadily. A meal for a family of five can cost up to RM30 a day, or RM900 a month, which is unaffordable for families earning below RM1,700,” he said.

Murugiah said government strategies and initiatives to address urban poverty needed to be expedited, adding that cash aid alone would not solve the problem.

“The government must address the root causes of poverty, including rising costs and access to affordable housing.”

In the meantime, he said, PHA is holding a back-to-school programme, providing vouchers worth RM150 to 120 students from low-income families to help them buy school supplies.

Murugiah said this is aimed at helping children stay in school without feeling ashamed of not having essential items like uniforms and shoes.

He added that PHA also provides free health check-ups, legal aid, and support for orphanages.