More focus to be given to B1 Group, says Mustapa

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said to date there are around 2.91 million households in Malaysia in the B40 category with an income of RM4,850 and below.

"Government programmes will focus on the B1 group for those who are qualified to receive assistance," he said in the winding up of the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Second Meeting of the Third Term of the 14th Parliament sitting.

Mustapa said the government would continue its efforts to increase the income and purchasing power as well as the well-being of the B40 household group especially the poor and low-income earners through programmes to boost income as well as securing high-paying jobs.

It will also improve access to essential needs including education, health and housing as well as encourage entrepreneurship and access to financing facilities.

"The government will continue to engage with stakeholders to adopt the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in planning and formulating policies, strategies and initiatives towards more comprehensive and effective poverty eradication starting with the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, 2021-2025 in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, " he said.

Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin had said earlier that the B40, M40 and T20 households can be broken down further into 10 categories. The B40 group, for example, can be further sub-divided into B1 (household income below RM2,500), B2 (RM2,501-RM3,169), B3 (RM3,170-RM3,969) and B4 (RM3,970-RM4,849).

The more detailed household classification under the Department of Statistics Malaysia's Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey 2019 would enable focused planning and monitoring for closing the income gap between households, he noted.