URBAN POVERTY THROUGH A MULTIDIMENSIONAL LENS: EVIDENCE FROM IBMT BENEFICIARIES IN KUALA LUMPUR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i42.2071Keywords:
Poverty, Multidimensional Poverty Index, Deprivation, Kuala LumpurAbstract
It is commonly acknowledged that poverty should not be assessed via a one-dimensional lens, such as monetary assessment. This study examines the characteristics of multidimensional poverty among households participating in the Program Inisiatif Basmi Miskin Tegar (iBMT) in Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Using the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) based on the Alkire–Foster (AF) methodology, the analysis draws on household-level survey data to assess deprivations across multiple dimensions relevant to an urban context. The findings reveal that, at the chosen cut-off point, 68% of iBMT households are categorised as multidimensionally poor, with an average deprivation intensity of 47% of the total indicators included. The analysis also indicates significant overlapping deprivations across health, education, living standards, and social capital, suggesting that affected households face multiple, reflecting multiple rather than isolated, forms of hardship. Disaggregated results indicate that income deprivation is the most prevalent, followed by limited access to health insurance, online learning facilities, and basic communication services. The study highlights the complex and multidimensional nature of urban poverty in Kuala Lumpur and recommends that poverty alleviation programmes would be enhanced by more cohesive policy strategies that address income vulnerabilities, digital inclusion, social protection coverage and human capital deficits.
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