The current Malaysian PLI approach grossly underestimates poverty incidence and continues to be designed to project “feel-good” numbers about poverty reduction. The latest data from the 2019 Household Income and Basic Amenities Report conclusively shows how poverty affects all communities and emphasises the importance of race-blind, fair and equitable poverty alleviation policies. Until the earlier top-down bureaucratic approach of the previous Malaysia Plans is rejected, there will continue to be umpteen examples of failed poverty alleviation projects and hundreds of billions of ringgit wasted. Our proposed bottom-up approach, which provides material and financial foundations for development-driven poverty alleviation especially directed at the eco-economy of impoverished areas, can be the game changer in ensuring real progress is made in the national poverty alleviation programme. Recommendations for 12MP policy resetting and programming• Consolidation of poverty programmes.
