4,726 hardcore poor in Johor, 83 per cent Malays

ISKANDAR PUTERI: A total of 4,726 hardcore poor people with 83 per cent of them being Malays were recorded in Johor as of May 31.

State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail @ Md On said the data was based on the Heads of Household (KIR) statistics in the eKasih system in the state.

Out of 4,726 people, a total of 3,926 Malays were in the hardcore poor category followed by Indians (390), Chinese (305) and other races (105)," she said at the Johor State Assembly sitting here today.

She said this in replying to a question from Datuk Samsolbari Jamali (BN-Semarang) who wanted to know about the hardcore poverty statistics registered in eKasih according to breakdown of races and districts in the state.

Khairin-Nisa said as for Malays, Batu Pahat was the district with the highest rate of hardcore poor at 777 people, while Johor Bahru recorded the highest number of hardcore poor Indians at 136 people followed by 90 Chinese people.

"Orang asli and bumiputeras of Sabah and Sarawak numbered 48 people, also recorded in the Johor Bahru district," she said, adding that a total of 20,790 people had registered in eKasih as of May.

-- BERNAMA