IPOH, Feb 23 – Towering skyscrapers do not give meaning if there are still people trapped in poverty, struggling to secure basic necessities like food and shelter, said the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah.
His Royal Highness said the commitment to eradicating poverty must remain steadfast, as poverty alleviation is crucial to guarantee the social well-being of the people.
“Addressing poverty stands as a central pillar of our government’s Pelan Perak Sejahtera 2030 to ensure the equitable distribution of the state’s wealth for the benefit of all people.
“This includes efforts to enhance overall quality of life, establish robust social safety nets, and provide quality healthcare services,” said Sultan Nazrin when opening the second meeting of the 15th Perak State Legislative Assembly on Friday.
In pursuit of enhancing the state’s prosperity, His Royal Highness said it is vital to recognise the deep connections between healthy relationships and the social determinants of health that profoundly impact people’s overall well-being.
According to the Sultan, education is fundamental to promoting good health as it empowers individuals to make informed health choices and contributes significantly to national development.
Education plays a crucial role in reshaping the poverty landscape by lifting people out of the cycle of poverty and improving their quality of life, he added.
His Royal Highness said while education policy primarily falls under the purview of the federal government, the state government can implement initiatives aimed at ensuring high attendance rates in schools and providing incentives to enhance students’ interest in education.
“We must prioritise the education agenda, particularly for the younger generation, to prevent the perpetuation of poverty and foster upward social mobility within families,” he said.
The Sultan said the poverty eradication efforts spearheaded by the state government have brought a glimmer of hope, with the total number of hardcore poverty households reducing by 58 per cent to 3,911 on Dec 31 last year, from 9,402 households in January the same year.
This decline in extreme poverty, according to His Royal Highness, is due to various factors, including the dedication of district administrations and all relevant agencies.
