Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, he said many Malaysians were facing financial problems because of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially those earning RM2,000 and below.

He said 52% of those who had lost their jobs earned below RM2,000 a month.

“The Covid-19 crisis has caused an impact on livelihoods around the world,” he said when answering a question from Ahmad Faizal Azumu (PPBM-Tambun), who asked if the government had identified those who were classified as poor and hardcore poor after the movement control order was implemented.

Muhyiddin, who is the Pagoh MP, said the government has taken various measures to ease the hardship of the people in both the cities and rural areas.

He said that based on a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) in October, out of the 500 families who live in public housing in the Federal Territories, 35% were jobless with one in every two families categorised under B40.

“These numbers are higher than last year,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the government will continue with eKasih, the national poverty data bank, to offer RM2.2 billion in social help next year compared with RM1.2 billion in 2020.

He said Putrajaya will also allocate RM5 billion for 4.5 million recipients under Bantuan Sara Hidup, the public cash aid for the poor.

“The government will focus on eradicating poverty,” he said, adding that a task force was created in September to carry out initiatives to ensure those in need receive appropriate aid.

To an additional question by Faizal on eKasih, Muhyiddin said the government would maintain the system but would also incorporate new technology to ensure it remains relevant.