Muhyiddin said that he chaired a Malaysian Social Protection Council (MySPC) meeting via video conferencing today, during which the issue of strengthening the national social safety net was discussed.

He added it included expanding the protection schemes under the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to groups that were not covered previously.

“I also emphasised the need for a social protection database across agencies which covers elements of employment, social insurance and social assistance.

“This database can be the sole reference for the country’s social protection programmes,” he said on his Facebook page.

He added that such a database would make for a “new, more effective approach” in providing comprehensive social protection coverage, especially for vulnerable groups.

“Citizens affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as groups not covered by any national social safety nets, including those in the informal and private sectors, need to be identified so that appropriate immediate assistance can be rendered,” he said.

He expressed confidence that by strengthening the social safety net through MySPC, more households in the poor or hardcore poor category could be helped and protected.

“The social assistance provided should not be limited to cash assistance or food basket donations only.

“Instead, it should cover aspects of social mobility as well as added value that can increase their income.”

Established in 2016, MySPC last met in December 2019. Muhyiddin said the council has been reactivated with the aim of coordinating a comprehensive and integrated social welfare agenda, particularly in tackling poverty.

MySPC is made up of 15 ministries, the chief secretary to the government and the governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, with the implementation coordination unit under the Prime Minister’s Department serving as the secretariat.