In size of population, SEA is a region of extremes. These data are unavailable for Cambodia and Laos, but we can assume that absolute poverty is relatively high there.
Absolute poverty is non-existent in Brunei and Singapore.
But absolute poverty is a problem everywhere else. But maldistribution of income is a problem in those countries for which data exists . Supporting fiscal and social policies are required as well. Different legacies of colonialism 2. Differences in extent of destruction in WWII and in rate of recovery 3.