AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL M'SIA CALLS ON GOVT TO CONTINUE FORWARD THINKING APPROACH

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Amnesty International Malaysia says that the
government must continue its forward-thinking approach and create conditions to
allow people living in poverty to empower themselves so that they can be the
masters and not victims of their destiny, and to change the balance of power
that keeps them poor.

Its executive director, Nora Murat, said that poverty remained one of the key
areas that "we as a nation need to tackle together."

In a statement Monday to mark Malaysia's 53rd year of independence on Tuesday,
she said, "Our country has come a long way in developing itself as a dignified
country with its multi-cultural society and rapid economic growth."

She said that it was "vital that we do not cease our development as a
forward-thinking, independent and democratic society" and that Malaysia could
also take a leadership role in tackling poverty by recognising that everyone has
the right to live in dignity, and the right to food, water, basic health care,
education and shelter.

Since the 1970s, the government has successfully reduced the incidence of
poverty to 3.8 per cent in 2009 from 49.3 per cent in 1970. This is to be
further reduced to 2.0 per cent by 2015.

Under the focus of the 10th Malaysia Plan tabled by Prime Minister Najib Razak
in June this year, the government aims to increase the income levels of the
bottom 40 per cent of households in the country or about 2.4 million households
whose average income is estimated at RM1,400 a month (US$445.72).

The government also intends to assist children in the bottom 40 per cent of
households by boosting their education and skills and revamping the education
system to ensure that every child can succeed against the backdrop of developing
a first-world talent base.
-- BERNAMA