possible to eradicate poverty?

well ok, he means the hardcore poor.

PENANG: Hardcore poverty in the country can be eradicated in three years, said Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. 

“The Government is confident of eradicating hardcore poverty by 2010 as planned under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. 

“Everything is on track to help them. The Government is reducing poverty by emphasising on education,” he said here on Sunday.

in 3 years time? that fast? emphasising on education? in what way and how? what is the ‘everything’ that is right on track done by the government, mind telling us, mr second finance minister?

i always thought people had been saying it is impossible to eradicate poverty. poverty will always be there. reduce poverty maybe but eradicate?

well if the government can really do that, i wish them luck. i’m keeping my fingers crossed and not to sound my usual anti-issue stance by criticising this move and said it won’t work.

will the government provide free education for the poor? i don’t mean education in school for children only but maybe also to educate the adults like how to survive on their own, maybe something like ‘teach them how to fish’?

more importantly, how will the government identify the hardcore poor?

i am a member of the society of st vincent de paul (sort of a NGO but church based), which is a society that helps the poor. i had came across many poor people and several hardcore poors too. will the government seek the help of NGOs to identify the poor? maybe not only that but engaged NGOs in dialogue to see how everyone can cooperate to eradicate the hardcore poor?

we shall see……..