Universiti Malaya Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman, has emphasised that efforts to eradicate poverty in the ASEAN region require a new, multidimensional approach one that goes beyond income thresholds and addresses the deeper roots of inequality in governance, education, and economic opportunity.
He made this statement during the Forum on Redefining Poverty Eradication in ASEAN: Multidimensional Perspectives, Evidence, and Pathways for Inclusive Development, held in conjunction with the Festival of Ideas at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre today.
According to Professor Azuan, while ASEAN has made remarkable economic progress with its GDP surpassing US$4.2 trillion in 2024, nearly 100 million people in the region still live in poverty or are at risk of falling back into it after a single economic shock. This, he said, reflects a troubling reality that prosperity in ASEAN has not been evenly shared.
He further warned that ASEAN risks becoming a “two-speed region”, where some nations race ahead in innovation while others remain trapped in survival.
“Poverty today is not merely about a lack of income, it is about access, agency, and resilience. We must address the geographic, governance, and social gaps that continue to marginalise rural communities, women, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups,” he said.
Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan also urged ASEAN nations to strengthen investments in research and development (R&D), technological innovation, and human capital transformation to ensure equitable and resilient economic growth.
“ASEAN must shift from exporting raw materials to exporting intelligence and values based outcome. Only through knowledge- and technology-based economies can we escape the middle-income trap,” he added.
He underscored that poverty eradication should be viewed not just as an economic goal but as a moral and humanitarian imperative.
“Eradicating poverty is a moral covenant between governments and their people. It is about justice, dignity, and the shared humanity that binds us as an ASEAN family,” he said.
The forum gathered leading academics, policymakers, and regional organizations to explore pathways toward inclusive and sustainable development across ASEAN.
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UNIVERSITI MALAYA TEKANKAN KEPERLUAN PENDEKATAN MULTIDIMENSI DALAM MEMBASMI KEMISKINAN DI ASEAN
Naib Canselor Universiti Malaya, Profesor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman, menegaskan bahawa usaha membasmi kemiskinan di rantau ASEAN memerlukan satu pendekatan baharu yang bersifat multidimensi, ianya melangkaui ukuran pendapatan dan menyentuh akar ketidaksamarataan sosial, pendidikan, dan peluang ekonomi.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam Forum on Redefining Poverty Eradication in ASEAN: Multidimensional Perspectives, Evidence, and Pathways for Inclusive Development, yang diadakan bersempena Festival of Ideas di Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Putrajaya, semalam.
Menurut beliau, walaupun ASEAN telah mencapai kemajuan pesat dengan KDNK mencecah lebih AS$4.2 trilion pada tahun 2024, hampir 100 juta rakyat di rantau ini masih hidup dalam kemiskinan atau berisiko jatuh semula ke bawah garis kemiskinan dengan hanya satu kejutan ekonomi. Keadaan ini menunjukkan bahawa kemakmuran yang dikecapi tidak diagihkan secara saksama.
Beliau turut menegaskan bahawa ASEAN berdepan risiko menjadi “dua kelajuan”, dengan sebahagian negara maju pantas ke hadapan, manakala yang lain masih ketinggalan dalam perjuangan untuk kelangsungan hidup.
“Kemiskinan hari ini bukan sekadar tentang kekurangan pendapatan, tetapi soal akses, agensi, dan ketahanan. Kita perlu menangani jurang geografi, tadbir urus, dan sosial yang terus meminggirkan komuniti luar bandar, wanita, warga emas, serta kumpulan rentan lain,” kata beliau.
Profesor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan turut menyeru agar ASEAN memperkukuh pelaburan dalam penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D), inovasi teknologi, serta transformasi modal insan bagi memastikan pertumbuhan ekonomi yang saksama dan berdaya tahan.
“ASEAN mesti beralih daripada mengeksport bahan mentah kepada mengeksport kecerdasan. Hanya melalui ekonomi berasaskan pengetahuan dan teknologi kita dapat keluar daripada perangkap negara berpendapatan sederhana,” ujarnya.
Beliau menegaskan bahawa kemiskinan harus dilihat sebagai isu moral dan kemanusiaan, bukan sekadar cabaran ekonomi semata-mata.
“Pembasmian kemiskinan ialah perjanjian moral antara kerajaan dan rakyat. Ia tentang keadilan, maruah, dan kemanusiaan bersama yang menyatukan kita sebagai keluarga ASEAN,” tambah beliau.
Forum ini menghimpunkan tokoh akademik, pembuat dasar, dan wakil pertubuhan serantau untuk merangka jalan ke arah pembangunan inklusif dan mampan di seluruh ASEAN
