NILAI, June 24 ― Hardcore poverty in the country needs to be eradicated this year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Therefore, he said the entire government machinery, especially the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and its agencies, must work towards ending it.

"This year, we must eradicate and put an end to hardcore poverty including in Negeri Sembilan,” he said when launching the Sentuhan Kasih Desa programme here today.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. ― Bernama