Abstract
The main objective of this study is to discuss the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups in Malaysia. The study used qualitative research methods based on primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through government documents already published and previous interviews conducted in 2018 by the author on poverty and social protection programs. This article concludes that relief measures now should be linked with the long-term recovery measures to assure greater resilience in the face of potential future shocks.
Highlights
This article discusses the question of poverty eradication efforts in Malaysia, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
After briefly reviewing the poverty line income (PLI) debate, including the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), and the introduction of the new PLI in 2019 by Economic Planning Unit under the Prime Minister Department, this article discusses the impacts of the pandemic-induced economic crisis that caused the closures of many small and medium enterprises and microenterprises, massive lay-offs, and loss of income, in both Journal of Developing Societies (2021): 1–23 the formal and informal sectors
The Pakatan Harapan government3 that replaced the Barisan Nasional in May 2018, decided to revise the poverty line and adopt a new methodology on the measurement of poverty. This revision coincided with the beginning of COVID-19 spread in Malaysia in January 2020 and the subsequent Movement Control Order (MCO) beginning in March 2020 which led to layoffs and lowered wages
Summary
This article discusses the question of poverty eradication efforts in Malaysia, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite Malaysia having achieved some commendable results in eradicating poverty over the decades, today the country is witnessing increased poverty and inequality in both rural and urban areas. This development has revealed the urgency to rethink and introduce a set of new, and more sustainable and inclusive policies that go beyond entrenched paradigms. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic throughout the year 2020 and into 2021 has necessitated further rethinking on the question of poverty and inequality as new evidence has emerged. Government social protection policies will need continuous revisions and adjustments to bring Malaysia forward into a more equitable future
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