Shahidan said 19 hardcore poor families who needed help and had a household income of only RM750 a month had been identified.

“We have declared this February to be the month of zero hardcore poverty. We will ensure that the hardcore poor in Putrajaya are covered at all costs.

“Unlike Kuala Lumpur where the hardcore poor get a lot of help, not many agencies or organisations oversee the welfare of such families in Putrajaya,” he said at a press conference today on the Federal Territories Day celebration.

The cut from his and Jalaluddin’s salaries, he said, was to help the 19 families until the relevant authorities find a solution to improve their financial situation.

Meanwhile, Shahidan said his ministry will also be providing food packs to about 16,000 poor families in the federal territories of Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.

Shahidan added the ministry was also looking into helping the hardcore poor set up small businesses by giving them capital and business licences to boost their incomes.