It is not surprising that United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report identified the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak, and the Malays living in the east coast as among the poorest people in the country.

It is encouraging to note that Malaysia has successfully reduced the poverty rate from 49.3% in the 1970s to 5.7% in 2004 but there is still much more to be done especially for the hardcore poor. The poverty rate of 8.3% among the bumiputeras and 2.9% for Indians is still unacceptable. More serious efforts must be put in place to further reduce the rates. The poverty line determined some years back may not be relevant now due to escalating inflation.

In 2004, the poverty line for Peninsular Malaysia was RM543, RM704 for Sabah and RM608 for Sarawak. There is a need to revise the poverty line to a more realistic level with inflation increasing at an alarming rate.

Poverty is a social ailment that knows no racial or religious barriers. The government is right in saying that poverty eradication programmes should be carried out irrespective of race. There is no doubt that the government is carrying out numerous programmes to eradicate poverty but much more needs to be done. The poor of all races must be identified and given special incentives to help them out of poverty. They should be given priorities in education, scholarships, training and job opportunities.

In helping the poor out of their socio-economic doldrums, care must be taken to ensure that they are not over-protected where they become permanently dependent on government aid to survive. They should be helped to become independent. The aid given should only be temporary until they can stand on their own feet.

Towards this end, it would be useful to provide the necessary education and training to adequately equip them to compete in an open market. Unless they are forced to compete with those better than them, no amount of financial aid is going to uplift them in the long run. It must be continually emphasised that there are no shortcuts out of poverty other than hard work, commitment and perseverance.

Malaysia has an abundance of natural resources that, if properly managed and shared, is sufficient for everyone and for generations to come. Above all, the greatest asset we have is our diverse cultures and traditions which give us a unique advantage. All we need is to cherish and nourish this asset. Harness the tremendous energy that radiates from our unity in diversity. Poverty of any sort, in any community, if allowed to perpetuate will ultimately be detrimental to all.