Page 152 - IJPS-11-6

International Journal of
Population Studies Urban poverty framework for B40 in Malaysia

A multidimensional approach that integrates income, services to enhance the well-being of urban communities,
education, health, employment, access to services, and particularly the B40 group (Implementation Coordination
empowerment is essential for enhancing the resilience and Unit [Unit Penyelarasan Pelaksanaan], 2023).
well-being of low-income urban communities (Zolkifly Recent findings from the (Khazanah Research Institute
et al., 2023; Zulkifli & Abidin, 2023). (2023b) Khazanah Research Institute (2023) show that

1.3. Literature review more than 30% of Malaysia’s urban population belongs to
the B40 category. This group continues to struggle with
The study of urban poverty has emerged as a critical rising living expenses and limited access to sustainable
topic of global discourse, driven by the increasing rate of employment. These challenges are often more severe than
urbanization and the varying effects of the global economy those faced by rural communities, indicating that urban
on major cities. This section examines urban poverty poverty demands a targeted and comprehensive response.
through multiple perspectives: global, regional (Asia), Government initiatives, including financial assistance
national (Malaysia), local, and the specific context of the schemes and housing programs such as the Federal
PPR. These perspectives aim to provide a comprehensive Territories Affordable Housing, have helped to a certain
overview of the challenges, strategies, and interventions extent. However, there remains a critical need to improve
explored in addressing urban poverty across different access to quality vocational training and skills development
levels. to ensure the competitiveness of the B40 population in the
1.3.1. Urban poverty in global and Asian contexts labor market.
Urban poverty remains a pressing issue globally, particularly In Kuala Lumpur, the situation is further exacerbated
in developing regions where rapid urbanization outpaces by the high number of residents living in informal housing.
the availability of affordable housing and infrastructure. According to the Khazanah Research Institute (2023a),
According to the UN-Habitat (2020), over 1.6 billion more than 15% of the city’s population resides in areas
people live in informal settlements, often lacking access such as the PPR. Rising costs, particularly in housing
to clean water and sanitation. Studies emphasize the and healthcare, continue to affect the urban poor despite
importance of urban infrastructure, social services, and existing support programs. Research by Kamaruddin
affordable housing in breaking the poverty cycle (Muhtar et al. (2021) highlighted that access to education and job
& Riswanda, 2023; Ismiyanti et al., 2019). opportunities are among the key determinants of well-
being for urban B40 households. Yet, many residents
Similar patterns persist in Asia. The Asian Development of PPR housing, especially in areas such as Kerinchi,
Bank (2022) estimates that 40% of urban residents live remain caught in a cycle of poverty due to low income
in substandard conditions. Urban poverty in countries and dependence on precarious informal employment
such as India and Indonesia is characterized by slums, (Abdullah, 2024). Furthermore, limited access to skills
overcrowding, and limited access to education and training prevents meaningful socioeconomic mobility.
healthcare. Despite various housing programs, income
disparities and high Gini indices remain challenges. While numerous studies have contributed to the
discourse on urban poverty in Malaysia, few have examined
These global and regional insights highlight the it using a comprehensive framework that integrates
importance of integrating economic development with structural and individual-level perspectives.
spatial planning to address urban poverty lessons, which
are highly relevant to the Malaysian context. Therefore, PPR Kerinchi is selected in this study as
a representative location to understand the dynamics
1.3.2. Urban poverty in Malaysia of urban poverty. The concentration of low-income
Urban poverty has become an increasingly pressing issue households in this area provides critical insight into
in Malaysia, particularly among the low-income B40 structural weaknesses and policy gaps. By synthesizing the
group. The Mid-Term Review of the Twelfth Malaysia findings of prior studies, this research highlights the urgent
Plan (Implementation Coordination Unit, 2023) reported need for integrated and inclusive strategies involving both
that the incidence of urban poverty rose to 4.5% in government and private-sector collaboration.
2022, with Kuala Lumpur among the most affected areas Although existing studies have discussed various
due to high living and housing costs (Implementation urban poverty alleviation approaches such as cash
Coordination Unit, 2023). This situation calls for transfer programs, housing subsidies, and community-
effective interventions such as affordable housing, stable based assistance, few have proposed a multidimensional
employment opportunities, and improved access to basic framework that integrates both structural and individual-

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 146 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.6558