KUCHING (July 6): Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will reveal the poverty and hardcore poor figures in Sarawak when tabling the Sarawak Budget 2025 this November at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.

He said the figures to be presented would be obtained from a survey currently being carried out to identify the real situation on the ground.

He pointed out that many of those classified as poor are eKasih recipients in the rural areas, but have already improved their financial situation and even owned ‘Hilux’ (four-wheel-drive pickup trucks) and have air conditioners installed in their houses.

“What happened was that we have data under EPU (Economic Planning Unit) which is based on eKasih on those classified as poor and in need of assistance. But over the years, they have improved (their income) and increased their assets.

“In fact, for the economic data we need to have precise data, that’s why we made this survey to find how many people who are still defined under the poverty category,” he told the media after chairing the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council meeting today.

Abang Johari, who is also PBB president, said this was one of the matters discussed during the meeting.

Also present at the meeting was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof who is PBB senior vice president.

On another matter, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government has allocated RM20 billion for infrastructure development, including upgrading of roads and bridges, throughout the state.

He said this effort would help increase the household income of the people in the urban and rural areas.

“The Sarawak government, with the income it has had for the past four years, has actually started providing important and strategic infrastructure, namely water supply, electricity supply, internet and road infrastructure.

“Right now we are implementing it. For roads and bridges, the Sarawak government has already allocated RM20 billion, and implementation is underway,” he said.