THE poor people of Malaysia would have been happy to hear the prime minister proclaiming on Sunday that a cabinet committee will be immediately set up to eradicate poverty, regardless of the racial origin of the poverty-stricken. (”No one will be left out” — NST Jan 21).

We have heard, time and again, promises by politicians that they would menghapuskan hardcore poverty, but 50 years down the Merdeka trail, there are still many pockets of Malaysians living below the poverty line.

This is the first time ever a prime minister has said a committee within the highest decision-making body, the cabinet, will be formed for the specific purpose. And that is surely an indication of how serious the government is about eradicating poverty.

SIT HIN KIN, Ampang, Selangor.

Source: NST – January 23, 2008