Multidimensional poverty index of marginalized orang asli in Terengganu, Malaysia

• Main Authors: Abdullah, Muhammad Fuad, Othman, Azmah, Edo, Juli, Jani, Rohana
• Format: Article
• Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia 2019
• Subjects: HC Economic History and Conditions
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/24266/; http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/Pertanika%20PAPERS/JSSH%20Vol.%2027%20(2)%20Jun.%202019/34%20JSSH-1925-2016.pdf

The general interpretation of poverty line index (PLI) is the measurement of poverty in Malaysia. However, by using this unidimensional poverty approach, it does not truly reflect the status of those who are poor. It is only confined to addressing the income or expenses debate, which does not reflect the actual living standards of the poor. Therefore, this study introduce the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) as an alternative method of poverty measurement. MPI is capable of identifying “Who is Poor” among the underprivileged in society. This paper aims to bridge the gap between the Orang Asli society’s development and national policy from a multidimensional perspective. By applying the MPI to the Orang Asli population in Terengganu, this study is able to reveal the factors that have deprived the poor to the point of poverty. There are four dimensions used in this study such as education, health, standard of living, and wealth. The result shows 97.1% of the Orang Asli in Terengganu is deprived in livestock followed by waste management at 96.6%, years of schooling at 83.4%, and only 58.9% as an income indicator. The result also indicates that Sungai Pergam village is poorer compared to other villages based on the MPI measured. These findings prove that MPI is able to reveal the real reason behind poverty with accuracy. Therefore, this mode of measurement can also be applied to other targeted groups in order to achieve more effective poverty eradication programs. © Universiti Putra Malaysia Press