The government is dedicated to eradicating poverty under the 9th Malaysia Plan which is targeting zero level poverty by 2010, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

In replying to Mohamed Aziz (Seri Gading -BN), Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Effendi Norwawi said there were 67,300 people who fell under this bracket.

According to him, this comprised 14,100 urban and 53,200 rural poor.

He said while the number was low and that the government had considerable success in tackling the poverty issue, further steps would be taken to address hardcore poverty.

Outlining the strategy, Effendi said the 9MP would call for maintaining the economic growth and using it to provide jobs, training and small-loans to the urban and rural poor.

"For the urban and rural pool, we will provide formal and informal training. We are also looking at small motivational courses for those in the cities and towns"

"The government will promote eco-tourism and set up handicrafts industries to provide jobs for those rural poor," he said