By INS Contributors

GEORGETOWN, Malaysia: A veteran civil activist has called on Penang to revive how it projects poverty in the state, as the present data is not reflective of what is happening on the ground.

Penang Hindu Association president Datuk P. Murugiah said that poverty calculation needs to incorporate emerging factors such as the threat of illness; locality conditions such as housing prices and leasing, as well as the median salaries in their same locality.

"When statistics are compiled, a B40 family may not have a member, who is ailing, or a M40 - middle class family would automatically digress into a B40 low middle income status, if they fall ill or lose jobs."

Jobs on offer to the B40 also do not provide high income.

Hence, poverty interpretations differ from state to state, said Murugiah in an interview.

There cannot be one formula for the entire country - surely Sabah and Sarawak also have varying factors.

There are also the factors of aging, disability and single motherhood, said Murugiah.

In 2022, Penang reportedly had a relatively low absolute poverty rate of 0.1 percent, with 15.3 percent of households experiencing relative poverty.

The state's poverty rate has significantly decreased over the years, with the absolute poverty rate dropping from 43.7 percent in 1970 to 0.1 percent in 2022.

However, rising costs and challenges in accessing basic services continue to affect low-income households, particularly those led by women or individuals with disabilities.

Here, Murugiah said that the issue is not absolute but urban poor in Penang.

"We have yet to broach the category of migrant workers including those who are married to the local residents."

According to Murugiah, the association is now helping 300 families over the past decade with aid.

The aid comes from providing groceries and medical attention from Good Samaritan doctors.

The former Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) activist, said that in Penang, housing rental remains beyond the reach of B40.

"It is one area which the state must give renewed focus in," said Murugiah.

He urged the state government officials and the respective state assemblymen, especially from PAS to go down to the ground to see for themselves.

Murugiah named the localities in Nibong Tebal, Kepala Batas, Air Itam (Farlim), Maccalum, and inner city George Town, as areas prone to poverty.

He urged more attention be given to families with bed - ridden members and single parentage.

In another matter, Murugiah singled out state executive councillor Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo for praise, saying he has helped alleviate the burden of poor families.

"He comes and gives prompt attention when a case is brought up to him."

Hence, Murugiah wanted to clear the air after Sundarajoo was roundly criticised for proposing a 5 percent discount be accorded to Indian Muslims if they want to purchase an affordable housing unit in Penang.

"I think Sundarajoo's version may have been intentionally misinterpreted and nowadays, politicians have many foes in their own right."

He said that Sundarajoo is a Prai assemblyman, who drives his policies on needs, regardless of race and religion, as well as the need to uphold social justice.