Tag: Equitable Distribution

Azmin: The State Government Has Only Received 18 Percent from Federal Government Reserves

SHAH ALAM, 21 Nov: The State Government has only received RM364 million from the allocated RM67 billion which has apparently been channelled by the Federal Government for the development and advancement of Selangor.

The RM 364 million is only 18 percent of the total RM 67 billion which was announced by the Kota Belud Parliament member, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan in the previous House of Representatives sitting.

Today, Bukit Antarabangsa Assemblyman, Azmin Ali claimed that Abdul Rahman’s statement was a propaganda played by Umno-BN to mislead the people of Selangor because it involves a large amount of funds.

“After checking with the Selangor Office of State Treasury, it is evidently different from what was stated.”

“However, should Umno-BN’s claim regarding the allocation be correct, the State Government would have to ask for the list of Federal projects worth RM 67 billion to be inspected and audited.”

“The people of Selangor have the right to know how it (the funds) has been channeled, who had received the project, what was the cost and whether it was transparent as well as whether it was an open tender?”

“I request the State Government to appoint an honest auditor to carry out the auditing. However, I am certain it is a lie,” he said to the media outside the State Assembly (DNS) hall today.

Azmin recapped his statement regarding the announcement at the 2013 Budget debate in the Selangor State Assembly hall.

He said that the Umno-BN theatrics can also be seen in their promise to build the third bridge in Klang.

He added that the project was launched by the ex-Works Minister, Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu three days before the 12th General Elections (GE-12) and he had promised to begin works four months after the launching.

“However, we can see that till now, nothing has been done. Instead, they are (now) promising to build a fourth bridge in the same city,” he said.

PKNS Plans to Build 9,481 Affordable Housings from 2014-2018

SHAH ALAM, 20 Nov: As many as 9,481 units of affordable housing have been planned by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) to be executed from 2014 to 2018.

Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco member, Iskandar Samad said that among the places that the housing will be built are in Puteri, Hulu Selangor, Antara Gapi dan Shah Alam.

Meanwhile, from 2010 to 2013, 1,215 affordable housing units have already been built or are in the process of being built.

“There have already been discussions for four projects and have now entered the process of obtaining the Planning Permission (PP),” he said in the twelfth term of the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting when answering Teratai Assemblyman, Jenice Lee.

Iskandar added that the State Government will be encouraging private developers to build affordable housings.

As of now, he said, 1,500 units will be executed by the developers and are currently in the process of applying for Planning Permission (PP).

“Apart from that, as many as 1,682 units will be completed by next year. The units will be sold at a minimum price of RM85,000 and a maximum price of RM150,000 per unit with an area of 850 till 1,000 square feet,” he said.

Iskandar further said that the State Government will be giving subsidies for affordable housing through PKNS.

“For example, the first phase, in Bukit Botak consists of 1,215 units and from that total, PKNS will be subsidising RM36 million.”

“The need to build affordable housings will depend on the demand and the building suitability, whether it’s affordable or low-cost (housing),” he said.

State Reserve Funds are only for Special Projects NOT for Administration Expenditures

SHAH ALAM, 19 Nov: The State Government will only use state reserves to fund special projects and not to shoulder administration costs, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Reserve funds also cannot be used to pay for management expenditures and other such expenses by the State Government because it reflects inefficient financial management.

The presentation of the budget’s deficit to cover administrative expenses also reflects the failure of efficient financial management and demonstrates the failure to control spending.

Abdul Khalid said this when explaining the State Government actions in using state reserve funds to finance four projects at a cost of RM500 million.

“The project we are doing is separate so that its (the reserve funds) usage is more transparent.”

“The people do not want the reserves to be used to cover administrative expenses.”

“If this happens, people will think that the government can spend extravagantly, so with the separation, we cannot spend extravagantly,” said Abdul Khalid in a press conference at the State Assembly Annex Building lobby.

Abdul Khalid presented the 2012 Budget today, the first day of the Third Meeting of the Fifth Session. The Budget is themed ‘Selangor, Leader of Malaysian Economy’.

When presenting the budget, Abdul Khalid announced the decision to build the third bridge in Klang costing RM300 million, the implementation of Storm Water (RM100 million), upgrading and repairs of drainage systems (RM50 million) and the building of fully-furnished affordable housing (RM50 million).

However, these projects are not included in the 2013 Budget, instead it will be using State reserves.

Flood Victims Touched by State Government Assistance

BANTING, 18 Nov: Flood victims in the Sekolah Kebangsaan Rancangan Tanah Belia (RTB) temporary placement centre here in Bukit Changgang expressed their joy regarding the State Government’s thoughtfulness in giving the victims assistance to help lessen their burden.

Although it is the Federal Government’s responsibility under the National Security Council (MKN) to provide assistance, the Prime Minister’s Department has yet to make any drastic efforts regarding the matter.

In relation to that, the Selangor State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim practiced a hands-on approach in providing assistance directly to the flood victims.

One of the residents of Kampung RTB, Kartini Lamin, 47, felt that the contribution is very much needed to cover family expenses after facing the worst flood disaster to date.

She has a disabled child and elder sister who are very thankful and grateful for the State Government’s contribution.

“The flood waters in my house started to raise suddenly on the 5th of November during the morning prayers. Praise Allah, I was able to save all my family members. However, my furniture and electrical items were all destroyed.”

“I am really grateful that my burden is lessened with this contribution. Thank you Chief Minister,” she gratefully said.

Azhar Alias, 47 shared similar feelings when he said that he was touched by the assistance given. In fact he added that this proved that the Selangor State Government is a government that prioritises the people’s welfare.

“I have stayed at this temporary placement centre for almost two weeks and I was only allowed to go home two days ago. The condition of my house is terrible. However, I am still grateful for the assistance given although the amount is little; it still lessens my family’s burdens,” he said.

Early this month, a large number of residents in the Kuala Langat district were faced with the worst flood disaster ever recorded this year.

The State Government has provided RM500 assistance to each family to lessen their burden.

Selangor Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim handed the assistance to 300 families (flood victims) from the Kuala Langat district at a ceremony.

Also present were Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation Exco member, Rodziah Ismail and Teluk Datuk Assemblyman, Philip Tan.

Meanwhile, Kuala Langat District Officer, Mohamad Yasid Bidin said that Selangor Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) will repair the damaged trenches and clean-up and unclog the drainage systems to ease water-flow.

Yesterday, the State Government informed that it will be allocating RM500 million to solve flood problems in Selangor following the refusal of the Federal Government to allocate the amount which was stated in the 10th Malaysia Plan (RMK-10).

This issue will be brought up by the Chief Minister in the upcoming State Assembly session which begins tomorrow.

Scholars Should Determine the Direction of the Country’s Education When PR Rules

SHAH ALAM, 18 Nov: Philosophers, scholars and educators shall be given space to outline the best form of education that should be applied in the country’s education system after Pakatan Rakyat (PR) succeeds in taking over Putrajaya.

This matter was stressed by the Selangor Economic Advisor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the keynote address in the opening ceremony for the National Education Direction Convention (Konvensyen Halatuju Pendidikan Negara) held at the University of Selangor (Unisel).

According to Anwar, two of these groups should be supported because they are vital in stating education requirements to political leaders so that the best mechanism can be implemented.

“Philosophical perspectives are requested so that capable scholars and educators can advise politicians (regarding education). This is what we will do,” he said.

According to Anwar, educational efforts need to be explained and be made the foundational principal in developing personal believes.

He further added that views from all groups, races and angles should be heard to ensure every demand raised will be understood in detail before any decision is made.

He explained that the culture of having forums and discussions regarding current affairs will be beneficial, especially regarding the outside world, should be instilled especially at the Tertiary Education (IPT) level.

“Unisel and Yayasan Selangor have to create more discourses to encourage the culture of knowledge,” Anwar further added.

The National Education Direction Convention organised by Yayasan Selangor was themed ‘Reforming National Education’ (Mereformasikan Pendidikan Negara).

The Yayasan Selangor Chief-Director, Ilham Marzuki, Unisel Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Anuar Ahmad, Selangor Exco member, Dr Xavier Jeyakumar as well as three representatives from the Syrian delegation were also present at the convention.

Penang to increase Scholarship from RM600 to RM800 Anually

SHAH ALAM, 17 Nov: Penang state government has decided to increase their ‘Bantuan Biasiswa Kecil’ (loosely translated as Minor Scholarship Assistance) by RM120 per year allocated to needy students in secondary schools to help fund their studies.

The raise will increase the assistance from RM480 to RM600 per year for Form 1 to 3 and RM720 to RM840 for Form 4 and 5.

Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng explained in his media statement that the increase was to help poor students buy work books and reference books for educational purposes as well as to help with the cost of daily necessities that has been on the rise from year to year.

He further explained that this will increase the annual Penang Government spending to RM 2 million for 2013.

“To ensure the sustainable purchasing power of poor students, the State Government has decided to increase it by RM120 per year or rather a 17% to 25% increase. Scholarships given to poor students in secondary schools (in Penang) are the highest among all the states in Malaysia.”

“The Pakatan Rakyat(PR) administration is only able to raise the scholarship because we have a surplus in our State Budget every year since 2008. We have successfully obtained this budget surplus despite the increase in spending by 55% under PR compared to the old government.”

“This stops all allegations made by certain parties saying that the budget surplus has been achieved only because the State Government has cut down on spending,” he said.

It is estimated that a total of 2,567 students from 123 schools in Penang will benefit from the increase in the Bantuan Biasiswa Kecil. The bulk of the students are Malay students.

The selection process is done through an online computer system by the Ministry of Education based on merit, family finances and co-curricular activities.

Penang Education Office will then recommend a list of students who are eligible for this assistance to be approved by the State Government.

Any family in Penang whose child’s name has been dropped out of the list can contact the closest District Office or PR assemblymen to assess the situation.

PAKSI and MBI Work Together to Initiate Malay Culture Programme

SHAH ALAM, 16 Nov: In efforts to instil cultural arts in Selangor, the Seniman Paksi Rakyat Organisation (Paksi) has planned cultural roadshow programmes in every district with support from Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI) as well as the Local Authorities.

The programme which is themed ‘Ilmuan Budaya bersama Rakyat’ (loosely translated as ‘Learning Culture with the Rakyat’) was held for the first time in Klang. The programme is aimed at spreading cultural arts in hopes of attracting the new generation to understand it and at the same time to popularise the art in the future.

According to Paksi’s President, Che Shamsuddin Othman or better known as Dinsman, this programme is aimed at reviving the Malay heritage as well as to bring back artists that are being forgotten by this generation.

He said that in some communities, cultural arts are exclusive and highly respected. For many Malays, it is as though they have forgotten their ancestral heritage.

“The tradition of Malay art is a reflection of their values, mind-sets and worldview. Like literature, theatrical art is the result of Malay common sense. Cultural arts in the Malay community has existed for ages.”

“However, this almost seems forgotten by the current generation, so we want to pave the way in introducing culture to the children of this generation so that they can preserve the arts.”

“We call this program “Ilmuan Budaya Bersama Rakyat”. We had previously called it “budayawan bersama rakyat “. Why now “Ilmuan Budaya “? The reason is because we want to raise awareness of appreciating knowledge. We want to just have art festivals, but we also want to fill these activities with knowledge, “he said when contacted.

A variety of activities were featured, including poetry recital by the nation’s literary icons Datuk A.Samad Said, Ibrahim Ghafar, Pyanhabib, Sani Sudin and Shaharir Prof Mohd Zain and ‘gamelan’ music performance, ‘cempuling’ , Seranten silat demonstration, and a discussion of current issues with Datuk Dr Anwar Ridwan and songs by Zurinah Hassan.

In the program as well, Paksi will also be presenting the Local Humanist Award.

“We will choose the most qualified cultural figures to be given recognition through this award in every district, in Klang recently we choose the actors, Ruminah Sidek won the award,” he said.

Dinsman said, every organization of the program in nine counties will be applied to variations between the organization, for example in schools, mosques and weddings.

“Although we intentionally make a difference because we are targeting all groups for the program, for example in mosques, weddings and school children, let us close with them,” he said.

The roadshow will be held in nine districts in Selangor which began in Klang, Rawalpindi, Cape Coral and other areas followed starting 10 November.

MB: Muslim Entrepreneurs Should Be More Brave

KLANG, NOV 10: Selangor Chief Minister (Menteri Besar) Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim advised Muslim halal industry entrepreneurs to be more daring in exploring other areas of production that has a high demand other than food.

Other areas for example would be production of ingredients, cosmetics and pharmasuitacals.

He said, based on the statistical count of Halal Certificate applications, non-Muslim companies go into these fields and non-Malay entrepreneurs are monopolising the food and beverage production as well as the slaughter houses in the country.

“We must learn to be Muslims who are more advanced in these areas in order to accommodate local demand,” he said when at the Halal Festival opening ceremony at Masjid As Sharif, here.

In relation to that, he asks Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) to come up with measures to help entrepreneurs develop the industry.

“I also hope this program will be continued and spread in other mosques around the country,” he said.

Up till 2011, as many as 4,787 halal certificates have been issued to factories, premises and slaughter houses in the country.

A total of 701 companies have been approved Halal certification to export production overseas.

At the Halal Festival at As Sharif mosque that went on for three days, a total of 30 outlets exhibited food, drink and clothing.

The festival that was organised by JAIS was the extension of the Halal carnival in the Selangor State last year.


Quality of rivers in Selangor satisfactory

SHAH ALAM, NOV 7: River that is the most essential resource to the treatment plant in Selangor is at a very satisfactory level with some rivers that have seen tremendous improvement in quality.

Selangor Exco, Elizabeth said that the water pollution in this state was still at a stable stage with its improving water quality index every year starting 2000 until now.

‘According to the report, the water quality index in three main rivers in Selangor namely Sungai Langat, Sungai Selangor, and Sungai Klang’, explained Elizabeth who holds a portfolio in the Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Exco.

According to her, based on the water quality index, Sungai Langat has improved tremendously from 68 percent to 76 percent under the ‘average pollution’ category.

In the meanwhile, Sungai Karang is under the ‘second class’ category after it has recorded a positive improvement from 81 percent to 86 percent.

Sungai Klang has recorded the biggest improvement with an increase from 53 percent which is considered under the ‘serious pollution’ category to 72 percent which is under the ‘average pollution’ category.

Such fact is derived in response to some allegations that the polluted river in Selangor has affected the treated water supply in Selangor.

Generally, Elizabeth said that every pollution case would be attended to by Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS) so that it would not jeopardise the need of the people.

‘There is no compromise in cases involving well-known companies as reported by LUAS and Department of Environment both of which shall be served with a legal suit’, she emphasised.

She further added that LUAS had set up the Selangor River Basin Management Committee and Pollution Prevention Board to conduct thorough observation.

JAIS can investigate Izzah to clear up confusion

SHAH ALAM, NOV 7: Selangor Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim welcomes any investigation by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) against Lembah Pantai MP, Nurul Izzah Anwar over the allegation that she supports freedom of religion.

During a press interview after an EXCO meeting this evening, he expected that it would be a positive medium to promote healthy discourse among Moslems and to strengthen the understanding among them.

‘It is a duty of JAIS to be pro-active and understand the real meaning hidden behind her statement. This would eventually expedite the effort to solve the problem so that any misunderstanding can be avoided.’

‘One thing for sure is that no Moslem would want his dear brethren to defect his religion for other religion because it is a responsibility of a Moslem to ensure that the harmony in Islam is preserved’, he added.

He lauded Izzah’s willingness to come forward and clarify with JAIS regarding the real meaning behind her statement that had been manipulated by media and bloggers.

‘I find out that there are reports that are far misleading including Utusan Malaysia that makes it seem as though her statement would invite God’s wrath.’

‘I believe this is inaccurate and we need to solve this issue amicably for the sake of all Moslems’, he added.

Previously, in a forum in Subang Jaya, Izzah has allegedly made a statement that there should not be compulsion in Islam.

As a result of the statement that she made, Director of JAIS, Marzuki Husin said that actions could be taken against her if they believed that her statement had been issued with intent of leading Moslems astray.

State Government never turns down applications to open up factories

KLANG, NOV 7: The State Government of Selangor will help those whose applications to open up a factory have been turned down by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) on the ground of insufficient water supply in Selangor.

Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Exco, Dr. Xavier Jayakumar said that the State Government had never turned down any companies or new investors who intended to open up factories in Selangor.

They can liaise closely with the state government agencies for further clarification about the status of water supply in Selangor.

They are encouraged to meet with the District Council, State Authorities, Selangor State Investment Centre (SSIC) as well as Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri (UPEN) or State Economic Planning Unit.

‘If they wish to open up a factory, they can meet with them, or me in my office myself.’

‘We can provide them with accurate explanation because we have done thorough research on this.’

‘These factory owners do not have to come and see any NGOs or Syabas’, he said during an interview after officiating a prize giving ceremony for those excellent achievers of Sekolah Rendah Agama Sungai Kandis.

Previously, Director of Gerakan Prihatin Rakyat Selangor (GPRS), Datuk Sohaimi Shahadan said that more than 1, 000 applications to open up a factory had been turned down by Syabas because of the water crisis issue in Selangor.

Dr. Xavier said that based on the study conducted by the State Water Commissioner, the allegation about water crisis in Selangor was baseless.

Izzah ‘punished’ without ‘trial’: Muslimat PAS

KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 7: Dewan Muslimat PAS is of the view that Lembah Pantai MP, Nurul Izzah Anwar has been ‘punished’ without being duly investigated.

Deputy Head of Muslimat, Dr. Mariah Mahmud said that after having been clarified by Izzah and a representative from PAS, Dr. Mujahid Yusuf Rawa who was also on a panel, she believed that Izzah’s statement had been manipulated during the forum ‘Islamic State-Which Version? Whose responsibility?’

‘There are many assumptions made by those who only want to prolong this issue even though they were not present during the forum. They based their assumptions purely on the report in Utusan Malaysia newspaper.’

She said that Nurul Izzah had already been punished before she was given an opportunity to explain herself as to what her statement sought to mean.

‘This is also a ludicrous allegation against a devout Moslem who observes her prayer, fasts, and covers her ‘aurat’ to encourage an act of apostasy.

‘This issue has been politicised and blown out of proportion. Izzah has never made such a statement to an effect that Malays are at liberty to profess a religion of their choice, nor would she support the act of apostasy itself’, she concluded.