EFFECT OF COVID ON POORS

The result show that low income families in Kuala Lumpur have been
disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis. These interviews
shows the different stories of Malaysian middle class salary peoples.
The interviews is conducted in partnership with DM Analytics, a
Malaysia-based public policy and research, and is led by CNA
NEWSPAPER.

About 1.5 to 2.4 million more Malaysians could fall into poverty by one
estimate. The programme Insight takes a look at the struggle to stay
afloat at the bottom rungs of the country.

The mixed methods study, covering a period of 13 months, involves a

socio-economic study, wellbeing interviews, as well as a photography
and videography component. Future reports are expected to monitor the
extent to which these families recover and offer critical insights for the
general public and policymakers as Malaysia aims to ‘build-back-better’.

With rising unemployment, about 5 to 8 per cent more Malaysians could

below its new poverty line income, which stands at RM2,208, as a result
of the pandemic and the global recession it has triggered. That's as
many as 2.4 million more who could become the 'new poor'.

Some who have found themselves suddenly without a job or reduced

income stream have found different ways to cope - from adjusting their
perspectives, to relying on the charity of others, like Kechara Soup
Kitchen in KL.

Urban low-income families are much more likely to be unemployed, have

cut working hours and experience greater challenges in accessing
healthcare and home-based learning. COVID-19 has also further
exacerbated food insecurity among low income households and forced
many low-income families to adopt less healthy diets, thereby
threatening to further exacerbate Malaysia’s worsening child malnutrition
crisis.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed peoples lives, but more so the
families, women, and children who are the focus of this study. The
government has been bold and innovative in their approach to curb the
socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic on the population – this is highly
appreciated and to be continued.

The report showed that low income female-headed households are

exceptionally vulnerable, with higher rates of unemployment at 32%
compared to the total heads of households. Female headed households
also registered lower rates of access to social protection, with 57%
having no access compared to 52% of total heads of households. These
low rates of access to employment-based social protection suggest a
bold rethink of Malaysia’s social protection system will be necessary to
prevent COVID-19 exacerbating pre-existing poverty, inequality and
social exclusion challenges.

“This report is the first snapshot of the situation of families living in urban
low-cost flats in Malaysia. The report highlights the particular plight of
women and children in female-headed households, which appear to
have been badly affected by the crisis. However, the report also
highlights the resilience and dignity of these families, many of whom
expressed their strong desire to rebuild their livelihoods. There are also
highlights of increased shared responsibilities in the homes. Policy
interventions such as PENJANA have helped, but there is a need for
more sustained support targeting the women and children who need it
the most.

Commissioned in May 2020, this report is the first in a series of reports

under the Families on the Edge project and describes the immediate
socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis on a group of 500 families
with children in Kuala Lumpur’s low-cost flats. It also presents
preliminary insights on the relevance, adequacy and accessibility of key
COVID-19 mitigation policies and other critical social services for this
particularly vulnerable group.

The Malaysian government also has been giving cash handouts to

struggling low-income households, as part of four economic stimulus
packages totaling some US$75 billion to support businesses and
households. But for some like the NAK Hotel in Sandakan, Sabah - a
state that relies heavily on tourism - it's not enough. The hotel, which
employed many staff from the B40 (bottom 40 per cent), has had to shut
its doors.

YOUTUBE LINK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9WL5EoWiAM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P70c_1WeNiI