PRESS STATEMENT
KUALA LUMPUR (17 OCTOBER 2021) – The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed on 17 October annually to encourage all States to promote and undertake, as appropriate in the national context, concrete activities to eradicate poverty. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) observed that, in Malaysia, the incidence of poverty persists among those who are economically and socially vulnerable including the daily wage workers, contract workers, single parents, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities, among others.
The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the lack of a comprehensive social protection system has exacerbated the insecurity and vulnerability of these groups, and their inability to protect against interruption or loss of income due to the movement restrictions enforced during the pandemic. It was reported that the number of poor households increased from 405,400 in 2019 to 639,800, a year later. According to the Department of Statistics, Malaysia, the true impact of the pandemic would be better evidenced by the Household Income and Basic Amenities (HIS/BA) Survey which would be conducted in 2022.
In line with this year’s theme, “Building Forward Together: Ending Persistent Poverty, Respecting all People and our Planet”, SUHAKAM calls the Government to adopt a human rights-based approach in its effort to eradicate poverty. This should include active participation of vulnerable communities in decisions that affect them, Government commitment to fulfill its obligations as duty-bearers, ensuring principles of non-discrimination and equality are met; and empowering every individual to claim and exercise their rights. The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights had reported in 2019, that there are at least 110 different social support programs spread across more than 20 ministries and agencies in Malaysia. Whilst acknowledging the Government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to eradicate extreme poverty through the National Recovery Plan and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), it is crucial to note that a more coordinated strategy is needed to ensure that all the plans can be delivered effectively.
SUHAKAM calls for all stakeholders to play their role towards the realization and protection of the rights of the vulnerable communities and to ensure that they are able to enjoy, at the very least, the minimum standards of a dignified life set forth by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
17 October 2021
Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my
KENYATAAN MEDIA
KUALA LUMPUR (17 OKTOBER 2021) – Hari Antarabangsa bagi Pembasmian Kemiskinan diperingati pada 17 Oktober setiap tahun bagi menggalakkan setiap negara untuk mempromosi dan menjalankan aktiviti membasmi kemiskinan, yang bersesuaian dengan konteks negara. Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) mendapati bahawa di Malaysia, kemiskinan terus wujud dalam kalangan mereka yang kurang bernasib baik dari segi ekonomi dan sosial antaranya termasuk pekerja gaji harian, pekerja kontrak, ibu atau bapa tunggal, orang asli dan orang kurang upaya.
Pandemik COVID-19 serta kekurangan sistem perlindungan sosial yang menyeluruh, telah memburukkan lagi kerentanan golongan tersebut dan menjejaskan kebolehan mereka untuk melindungi diri daripada gangguan atau kehilangan mata pencarian yang disebabkan oleh kawalan pergerakan yang dikuatkuasakan semasa pandemik. Terdapat laporan yang menyatakan bilangan isi rumah miskin telah meningkat daripada 405,400 pada tahun 2019 kepada 639,800 pada tahun 2020. Menurut Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia, impak sebenar pandemik lebih tepat digambarkan menggunakan Tinjauan Pendapatan Isi Rumah dan Kemudahan Asas yang akan dilaksanakan pada tahun 2022.
Selari dengan tema tahun ini “Building Forward Together: Ending Persistent Poverty, Respecting all People and our Planet”, SUHAKAM menyeru Kerajaan untuk menerima pakai pendekatan berteraskan hak asasi manusia dalam usaha untuk membasmi kemiskinan. Ini termasuk penglibatan aktif golongan rentan dalam membuat keputusan yang melibatkan mereka, komitmen Kerajaan sebagai pemegang amanah untuk memenuhi tanggungjawabnya, memastikan prinsip tiada diskriminasi dan kesaksamaan dipenuhi; dan memperkasakan setiap individu untuk menuntut dan menjalankan hak mereka. Pelapor Khas PBB mengenai kemiskinan dan hak asasi manusia telah melaporkan pada 2019 bahawa terdapat sekurang- kurangnya 110 program sokongan sosial yang berbeza melibatkan 20 kementerian dan agensi di Malaysia. Sementara mengakui usaha Kerajaan untuk mengurangkan impak pandemik COVID-19 dan untuk mengurangkan kemiskinan tegar melalui Pelan Pemulihan Kebangsaan dan Rancangan Malaysia ke-12 (2021-2025), penting untuk mengambil maklum bahawa strategi yang lebih selaras diperlukan bagi memastikan semua rancangan dapat dilaksanakan dengan berkesan.
SUHAKAM menyeru agar semua pihak berkepentingan memainkan peranan masing-masing ke arah merealisasi dan melindungi hak komuniti rentan bagi memastikan mereka dapat menikmati sekurang-kurangnya standard minimum kehidupan yang bermaruah yang ditetapkan oleh Perisytiharan Hak Asasi Manusia Sejagat (UDHR).
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Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
17 Oktober 2021
Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my
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