Penang: Penang has achieved a significant milestone by recording zero heads of household (KIR) in the hardcore poor category since September 2025, following a consistent decline since February 2025. This achievement is based on the latest records from the Penang State Development Office and the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang Social Development, Welfare and Non-Muslim Affairs Committee chairman, Lim Siew Khim, attributed the zero figures to a comprehensive field data whitening process. She noted that the ICU only displays cases registered in the eKasih System after thoroughly cleaning the list. Lim emphasized that the zero figure does not necessarily indicate the absence of poor individuals but rather reflects the absence of registered records of confirmed hardcore poor on the reporting date.

Lim elaborated during the State Legislative Assembly sitting on the Supply and Development Budget Bill 2026 that the hardcore poor data received by the state government is sourced from the ICU within the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM). The ICU is responsible for conducting field censuses and confirming the hardcore poor list through a whitewashing process.

She detailed that the criteria for hardcore poor status are set for households with a per capita income of less than RM315, whereas the state government, through the Bantuan Agenda Ekonomi Saksama (BAES), has increased the household per capita rate to RM322. Once a family is identified and confirmed as hardcore poor through income assessment and data verification, a coordination meeting is convened. This meeting involves various departments and agencies, including the Social Welfare Department (JKM), Penang Zakat Management Centre, Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), District Offices, and Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) Offices, to identify suitable interventions and assistance.

Lim also highlighted the ICU’s role as the main coordinator, ensuring that every follow-up action is implemented in an orderly and comprehensive manner, thereby supporting the state’s efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty.