Let's Work Together on War on Poverty

Title: Let’s work together on war on poverty

Author: Johan Jaffar

Publication information: NST 2nd Feb 2008

Summary

Malaysian government seems to be concerned about poverty in Malaysia. Prime Minister assured that poverty would reduce to zero by year 2010, this sound good it seems difficult. The gap between the have and have not is huge; there are people who just manage a daily wages of RM 14 which is just a snake or a pack or tow of cigarette for others. There are folks such as celebrities, sportsperson and businessmen/businesswomen who enjoy luxury that others can only dream of, poor are just trying hard to make enough to cover their very basic needs. There are number of organizations working toward reducing poverty but they are not as successful due to logistical problems.

The Gini coefficient indicates that Malaysian inequality of wealth distribution grew from 0.4443 in 2000 to 0.461 in 2002, EU countries showed Gini coefficient of 0.2 and 0.36, whereas in US it was 0.4.

Issue of poverty should be addressed properly with help of governments. It is high time that we start solving this problem.

Interpretation

The article is organised in a proper manner in the sense that we see Johan Jaffar (writer) starts off with giving a background on what the Malaysian government’s response to poverty, then he goes by providing evidence of Kaminam Waris and explaining her life and relating it to the financial situation. From there on he talks about his experience about the wedding he attended and how he wondered how Kaminam would feel about this. This provides a good flow of what actually been mention by the government and what is happening which includes and example and his own experience. Later Johan goes on providing evidence about rich and make a comparison with Kaminam’s daughter “Kaminam’s daughter would have to work for 38 years to get what the golfer earns in a day”. Johan also provides statistical evidence where by he provides Gini coefficient of Malaysia, EU countries and the US. There is consistent flow of personal views and experiences along with evidence.

Johan expresses himself quite well where by he makes a statement like” daughter’s daily wage is RM 14” then asks a rhetorical questions like “What RM 14 today? Two pack of cigarettes? Teh tarik and roti canai for three at a mamak stall?. Then goes and provides evidence where he mentions his experience of attending a high class wedding, this not only proves his statement but also make the reader such as myself to ponder