Tag: Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor Programs

Over RM600 Million Spent on the People of Selangor’s Welfare

KUALA SELANGOR, 15 Dec: The Selangor Governement has already spent RM600 million for welfare programmes under the ‘Localising the Selangor Economy’ also known as ‘Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor’ (MES) agenda.

These programmes include aid in the case of deaths and the Jom Shopping Golden Age Friendly Scheme (SMUE – Skim Mesra Usia Emas) and the Selangor Children Heritage Fund (TAWAS).

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that although the Selangor Government has allocated a huge amount for the programmes, however the Selangor Government Cash Reserves has now increased to RM2 billion.

“So this means that although the Selangor Government is spending a lot, it still has savings because we know where the money is spent.

“Of all the money spent by the Selangor Government, the people can see its transparency.

“That way the people will come together in its development. Now, the people can say that it is ‘our money’,” said Abdul Khalid.

He said that Selangor government has an effective record system for seniors compared to the previous government. This system will ease the channelling of assistance.

He said this during the SMUE Assistance Presentation Ceremony at the compound of Ijok State Assembly Service Office.

Abdul Khalid and his wife, Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut together delivered the SMUE to 47 recipients for the Second Phase of the Ijok area worth RM1,000.

Also present was the President of the Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS), Noraini Roslan and the newly appointed Kuala Selangor District Officer, Mohamad Yasid Bidin.

Yasid also previously served on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Meanwhile SMUE benefits recipient, Mohd Sahar Sadri, 43, said the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) led Selangor Government’s efforts should be emulated by other states.

“This SMUE programme is good and I would like to thank the Selangor Government under the leadership of Pakatan Rakyat that is running this scheme because it can also lessen the burden of beneficiaries,” he said.

MBPJ Helps the Underprivileged in Buying School Supplies

Subang Jaya, 13 Dec: Ripples of joy were clearly reflected in the faces of the less fortunate when they were chosen to receive shopping vouchers worth RM200 per person for school supplies.

This opportunity was fully utilised by recipients and parents in preparing for the 2013 school session which will begin in January next year.

Fatimah Abdul Mulup, 41, said that the hand-out would obviously ease her burden this time in facing the school session.

“Everything is complete here. There are many school items. It is easy for us to make choices. I would like to thank MBPJ for their attentiveness,” said the mother of Nurzulaiha Sarudin.

For Norsham Mat Sani, 49, the mother of Shuffira Ezurin Nurul Azmi, 15, the hand-out clearly lessened her burdens as she only gets a monthly income of around RM700 and works as a cleaning assistant.

“Alhamdulillah, with this gift we will be able to buy school supplies. He father (Shuffira) is also sick.We are grateful to MBPJ,” she said.

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is continuing their attentiveness towards the plight of the less fortunate through the Urban Poverty Eradication Programme ‘Jom Shopping’ for School Supplies.

With a contribution of RM14,000, a total of 70 recipients have the opportunity of spending the vouchers to purchase school supplies such as school uniforms, shoes and stationery.

Meanwhile, according to the MBPJ Public Relations Officer, Zainun Zakaria, among the objectives of this contribution is to lessen the burden of the population who are less fortunate with an income of RM1,500 and below per month as well as having to bear the cost of their schooling children and younger children of more than four people.

Located at Mydin Hypermarket in USJ Subang Jaya, this programme is being organised for the second time and will be made an annual programme by MBPJ.

“In addition, it is one of the responsibilities and contributions of social services from MBPJ to the local communities under its administration,” he said.

He explained that all beneficiaries are residents who are registered under theUrban Poverty Eradication Programme (PPKB) which is under the area of MBPJ’s administration such as Kota Damansara PPR, Lembah Subang PPR, South Petaling Jaya (PJS), Desa Mentari and Impian Baiduri.

Dr Halimah: Selangor IPT Improves Facilities for People With Different Abilities

SHAH ALAM, 13 Dec: State Government will improve facility accessibility for people with different abilities (OKU) at Institutions of Higher Learning (IPT) owned by the State Government.

The action was taken after getting ‘input’ from the class representatives at the Student’s Day launching themed ‘Excellent Students, National Pillars’ which was held yesterday.

This was according to the Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Exco, Dr Halimah Ali, when met by TV Selangor after the launch.

“We are deliberately seeking students with different abilities tonight to get their input.

“So after we have heard this, we have reviewed that there is a need. Perhaps the needed amenities are insufficient and not OKU friendly as we have previously wanted such as OKU friendly Local Authorities (PBT) and we will implement this too at State Government-owned institutes of higher learning.

“We will take action so that the amenities are sufficient for people with different abilities,” said Halimah.

Earlier, in a speech by a student with different abilities, Mohd Abdullah Mohd Yusof, apart from being thankful for the invitation by the State Government to express his views, he also suggested that the State Government take measures to improve the accessibility for the group in institutes of higher learning which are owned by the State Government.

He added that the move will not only reflect the State Government’s concern for people with different abilities, but it will also be a model to the Federal Government and other states.

31,931 Selangor Children Receive Gift of RM31.7 Million for their Studies in Institutes of Higher Learning

SHAH ALAM, 13 Dec: A total of RM31.7 million was spent by the State Government in the IPT (Higher Learning Institute) Gift Programme since it was introduced in 2008.

In the program, a total of 31,931 children of Selangor that successfully managed to further their studies in Public Institutes of Higher Learning (IPTA) and private institutes received benefits from the programme.

According to the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the measures were taken following the State Government’s attentiveness in ensuring that the children of Selangor are not left behind in continuing their studies in any higher learning institutes in the state.

Abdul Khalid said this when launching the Student’s Day at the Silver Jubilee Banquet Hall at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building, Shah Alam, last night.

According to Abdul Khalid, the State Government assumes that students should be appreciated and cannot be marginalised because they are an important part in a community in the country and particularly, in Selangor.

“The State Government, although is busy in continuing endeavours to develop the state, increase state revenue through tax collection and investment for the benefit of the people, however, the leaders of our government still have the space and opportunity in thinking about the state and welfare of the students in this state,” Abdul Khalid said.

Meanwhile, a student, Adzkia Amana who is majoring in Communication Sciences, Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM), Nilai, said that the Federal Government and other states should emulate the measures taken by the Selangor government in creating a Student’s Day to honour these people.

“I am very happy with the initiative taken by the State Government in having a Student’s Day and I am thankful for their concern as well as knowing how to appreciate this valuable group that should be taken care of,” said Adzkia.

Helmy Khusairy, a student majoring in Human Resources Sciences at Selangor International Islamic University College (KUIS) said that the measures taken by the State Government in creating a Student’s Day is a boost to undergraduate students to be the students that the Selangor Government hopes to have.

Earlier, the launch of 2012 Student’s Day with the theme ‘Excellent Students, National Pillars’ last night, was estimated to be attended by almost a thousand students from public and private institutes of higher learning from the whole of Selangor and neighbouring states.

Among them were students from the University of Malaya (UM), University Technology MARA (UiTM), The National University of Malaysia (UKM), University Putra Malaysia (UPM), the University of Selangor (UniSel), Selangor International Islamic University College, Selangor Education Industry International College (INPENS), Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM), Nilai, International Islamic University (UIA) and others.

The launching ceremony was also attended by the Chief Minister’s wife, Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut, Education, Higher Education, and Human Capital Development Exco, Dr Halimah Ali, Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco, Iskandar Samad, Malay Customs, Youth and Sports Exco, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi and Meru Assemblyman, Dr Abdul Rani Osman.

The Student’s Day was spearheaded by the Selangor State Government and is also set to become an annual event on every 12th day of December every year.

State Government No Authority in Setting Rental Rates for KUIS Dormitories

SHAH ALAM, 12 Dec: The State Government has confirmed that they have no authority in determining the rental rates for Selangor International Islamic University College (KUIS) dormitories which students have alleged as being unfair and unreasonable.

Instead, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, Redha Resources Sdn Bhd (RRSB) and the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) is entitled to determine it according to the dormitory construction agreement which was previously agreed upon.

In relation to that, Abdul Khalid said that the claims made by Sulaiman Razak, the RRSB Managing Director who is also the Permatang Assemblyman (Umno-BN), yesterday that the State Government had the authority in determining the rental rate of the KUIS dormitories, is untrue.

“In my opinion, the answer given by the BN Assemblyman is not true because the construction agreement and the privatisation of the dormitory is between the company owned by Sulaiman and Mais.

“Mais authority is not covered under the State Government. Thus, his statement that says that the State Government has the right to determine the rental rate is not accurate at all,” he said.

However, as the Chairman of Kuis Board of Directors, Abdu Khalid had advised Kuis and Mais to restructure so that the fees for the hostel will not burden any party, especially students.

Previously, a group of students from Kuis held a peaceful demonstration in front of Sulaiman’s house in Shah Alam to insist that the contract to manage the hostel was cancelled.

The students claimed that the contract has caused them to bear the rising cost of hostel accommodations which is deemed to be unfair and unreasonable.

The students also demanded for Sulaiman to sign a new contract with dormitory rents being lower than the existing rate.

However, Sulaiman had denied the allegations and had said that the annual rental rate is fixed based of the concession agreement which was agreed upon with the State Government in 2007.

Selangor Still Ideal Investment Destination

SHAH ALAM,12 Dec: Selangor still remains as the main destination for investors among all other states when it recorded a total investment of RM7.68 billion which covers 24% of the total amount of investments in the country.

Investment, Industry and Trade Exco, Teresa Kok said that for the period of January till September 2012, Selangor has retained an excellent investment momentum with 186 manufacturing projects being approved.

These projects have provided 16,076 job opportunities for nine months recently.

This amount surpasses other states in terms of the total investment received.

She said that the total of approved investments in Selangor, 71% or RM5.47 billion were domestic investments.

Meanwhile 29 per cent or RM 2.21 billion were from foreign investments.

“Local investors are major contributors and this indirectly shows the local investors confidence and trust in the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leadership.”

She said this at a press conference at the State Government Secretary’s office today.

Meanwhile, Sabah ranked second with total investments of RM4.84 billion followed by Sarawak, at third place with RM4.68 billion.

“Selangor recorded a total of 186 projects approved or 32% out of the total projects throughout Malaysia,” she, who is also the Kinrara Assemblywoman, said.

Teresa said that from the total amount of projects, 112 of them were new projects with a total investment of RM4.74 billion.

Meanwhile, 74 projects were expansion projects and others with a total investment worth RM2.94 billion.

Free Water for Apartments: SYABAS Terms Makes Troublesome for Residents

KLANG, 9 Dec: Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) action in setting strict conditions for the migration process of central meters to individual meters is the main cause as to why the Joint Management Bodies (JMB) and apartment residents cannot enjoy the free water supply given by the Selangor State Government.

In sharing experiences in dealing with the application, Batu Kuda Apartment JMB Chairman, Ahmad Ibrahim said that the State Government has actually eased the migration process however SYABAS has not given their full cooperation other than imposing stringent procedures.

He said that among the conditions imposed by SYABAS is requiring 100% of the residents consent including making new application through the ‘Switch Meter Clearance’ (SMP) form for each individual and to provide a meter deposit of RM130 per home.

In addition, the residents are required to pay the total amount of overdue bills and all plumbing costs as well as the costs of changing the meters are incurred by the owners.

“The conditions prescribed are very troublesome. Naturally they (Syabas) should understand that to execute all such conditions is not easy, many problems are faced by the residents and JMB.

“My experience in dealing with the applications was that the applications took a year to finalise after being rejected several times by SYABAS that I had to go to the SYABAS headquarters to try to get the free water (supply),” he told TV Selangor.

Ahmad further recounted the story of how the JMB of his apartment was forced to withdraw management funds of RM15,000 to advance the payment of outstanding bills.

He said that not only did he have to do that, but he also had to find the real owners of each apartment unit to get their consent.

“I personally sent notices to 450 apartment units to get their feedback. I faced many problems. That was just in the beginning. I only managed to find half of the owners. In the end I managed to collect them all (applications) after subsequent steps were taken,” he said.

In addition, he explained, the residents had to pay RM45 for each apartment unit for the modification of their meter while the JMB had to pay Rm5,000 for meter reparations.

“If calculated, the cost for modifying the converted meters of 450 housing units has incurred a huge sum which is RM20,200. That is by doing it ourselves. If we had hired a contractor, the price would probably be doubled,” he said.

In relation to that, he said that due to the conditions imposed by SYABAS, residents of other apartments have yet to enjoy the 20 cubic metres of free water apart from the fact that they are not getting cooperation from the residents themselves.

“Every resident should understand, as well as the JMB, do not blame the State Government, perhaps the application that has been sent to SYABAS is not complete,” he said.

Meanwhile, resident Hartila Md Daud, 42, thanked the State Government for always being caring towards the people.

“I hope that people of Selangor continue to support the current State Government in administering the state and to successively go on to Putrajaya because I have seen and felt it myself, the State Government has lightened my family’s burden by a lot,” she said.

Another resident, Imran Ismail, 44, hopes that the State Government will continue to take care of the people who are consistently being overwhelmed by the high cost of living.

“With this, the free water supply and many other assistance programs, it has to some extent been able to reduce our, the people of Selangor’s burden,” he said.

Selangor Aims to Help 2,500 Families to Obtain Kindergarten Assistance Next Year

PETALING JAYA, 2 Dec: The State Government aims to assist 2,500 families across Selangor in obtaining the Selangor Kindergarten Assistance Scheme (Tunas) next year with an allocation of RM 3 million.

So far, Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Exco, Dr Halimah Ali said that the scheme has been received with enthusiasm by 1,500 families who have participated in five months wince it was launched in July.

“Tunas is a way of helping parents (from low-income families) by giving and assistance of RM 50 a month to each family through childcare centres registered with the Selangor Kindergarten Assistance Council,” Dr Halimah said.

The scheme has helped parents like Rashidi Hashim, 34, a production operator from Taman Medan.

With the assistance, he is now able to send his six year-old son, Muhammad Izwan Muiz, to Islamic Child Care Kindergarten (Pasti) AlRaudhah in Taman Datuk Haron.

“I am happy with this move as it reflects the State Government’s attentiveness and the people benefit from the programme as well as the financial assistance,” he said.

He was met at the Tunas Selangor Mini Carnival Tour 2012/2013 officiated by Dr Halimah at the Youth Square in PJS1/25, Taman Medan here, today.

The scheme under the ‘Localising the Selangor Economy’ (MES) agenda which is open to every family with a monthly income below RM 1,500 a month.

“In the current situation, it has been admitted by the Ministry of Education that there are a lot of the parents in this country who do not send their children to childcare centres,” Dr Halimah said.

“Research from around the world has found that education for children under six years is critical,” Dr Halimah said in her speech.

Also present was Investment, Industry and Trade Exco, Teresa Kok Suh Sim and Deputy Speaker of the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) cum Taman Medan Assemblywoman, Haniza Talha.

BN Failed to Finish Home Ownership, No Land Premium Deduction Given

SHAH ALAM, 1 Dec: Although Umno-BN had governed the administration of Selangor for over 50 years, not only have they not given discounts for residential land premiums for the people, but they have also failed to resolve residential land ownership issues faced by the people of this state.

This situation shows that Umno-BN lacks determination in helping the people of Selangor when they were previously, governing the state.

However, the problems have finally been solved when Pakatan Rakyat (PR) took over the administration of Selangor in March 2008.

This is according to Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco, Iskandar Abdul Samad’s statement in a press conference at the Selangor State Assembly Annex Building lobby, yesterday.

“Previously they did not do it, now all of a sudden they say that they can do it, let’s not just talk about reduced premiums, they cannot even give land approvals, however we have solved more than 6,800 land ownership problems left over by Umno-BN.

“What guarantees that they can reduce premium rates? It all depends on the people and whether or not they choose to believe that they can reduce the premiums because during their administration, they had failed to resolve land ownership problems,” he said.

When PR took over the administration of Selangor in 2008, a variety of problems, including issues that have been lingering for almost 20 years that were abandoned by the previous government, have been solved by the current government.

The Selangor Umno-BN had previously promised to solve the problem of home ownership and to reduce land premiums should they return to power in the upcoming 13th General Elections.

Azmin: Najib Most Spendthrift PM in Spending Petronas Funds

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Nov: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is the most spendthrift Finance Minister, by forcing Petronas to contribute the highest dividend rates in the country’s history.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali accounted that, except for Najib, there has never been a Finance Minister or Prime Minister who has extensively used Petronas funds.

Based on the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Statics, throughout Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s term as Finance Minister, Petronas had contributed a dividend of RM3.1 billion from 1992 until 1997.

The amount of dividends Petronas contributed when Tun Abdullah Badawi was the Finance Minister was RM9.1 billion in 2004, RM11.0 billion in 2005, RM18.0 for 2006 and RM24.0 billion for 2007.

Meanwhile, during Najib’s term, a sum of RM30.0 billion in dividends have been contributed consistently from 2009 to 2011.

“When Anwar had worked to reduce the national debt, the country spent prudently resulting in income surpassing spending without burdening Petronas and had driven economic growth up to 10 percent. Datuk Seri Najib had taken 10 times more out of Petronas funds.

“The national debt increased five-fold, the budget deficit lasted for 14 years and the economic growth rate is still sluggish at the rate of around four to five per cent,” he said at a press conference at PKR headquarters.

Azmin came forward today to maintain the credibility and ability of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in steering the economy following Najib’s attack yesterday at the Umno general assembly.

Azmin explained that Najib’s economic performance has not once ever surpassed Anwar’s in successfully accelerating economic growth in reaching 9-10 percent during his term as the Minister of Finance.

During Najib’s appointment as the Minister of Finance since 2009, he has reversed the economy’s direction and lead it towards crisis while neighbouring countries such as Indonesia continues to grow rapidly.

In addition, Najib Razak has also failed to overcome debt problems although Anwar had left it in a pretty good shape.

Azmin also said the modus operandi of the attacks against Anwar regarding his economic governance credibility is to use it again for the 13th General Elections (GE-13) to intimidate the people that the country will go bankrupt if Umno-BN is not given the power to rule.

“For the GE-13, people will still choose Pakatan Rakyat. This means that mature people will not be influenced by Umno-BN political propaganda in underestimating the people’s ability to evaluate the performance of the economy under the leadership of Anwar as Finance Minister.



Iskandar: 29 Percent of Abandoned Projects Completed

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: Since Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had taken over the state administration last September; the State Government has completed 29% of the 49,451 housing units which was abandoned by Umno-BN.

Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco member, Iskandar Abdul Samad said that the State Government under the leadership of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has taken the initiative to immediately resolve problems faced by the people.

He explained that the problem was a legacy left by the previous government under the leadership of Umno-BN and that it has been taken over by PR which is concerned about the Selangor people’s needs.

“From the 49,451 abandoned houses like residences and commercial buildings, we have managed to complete 14,245 units as of September which involves 19 areas in the whole of Selangor.”

“Apart from that, the State Government has also planned a state-wide welfare refurbishment programme (Ceria) with a total rotation fund of RM9.7 million where 17 areas involved in the programme for Phase 1 has been fully completed where else 33 of the 52 areas in Phase 2 have been completed apart from Phase 3 which will start with 93 areas,” he said in a press conference at the Annex Hall lobby here, today.

Also present were Meru Assemblyman, Dr Abdul Rani Osman, Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Exco member, Dr Halimah Ali and Malay Customs, Youth and Sports Exco member, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi.

Iskandar said that after more than four years, approximately 92% of apartments have benefitted from the free water initiative which was offered by the State Government.

According to him, an agreement was made with Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to loosen the clauses to hasten the transition from central metres to individual metres.

“Other efforts undertaken was the establishing of the Permai Task Force to encourage migration such as the Hands-On programme as well as the Concerned Committee to solve problems at multi-levelled housings regarding the individual metre changing process,” he said.

He said that the State Government had also built 1,682 Affordable Housings in areas in Bandar Baru Bangi, Bukit Botak, Kajang and other places.

Apart from that, he said that 1,215 more units will be built in Phase 1 from 2010 to 2013 while 9,481 units will be built from 2014 to 2018.

“Umno-BN’s efforts in building low-cost housing has encountered many problems and the State Government is introducing affordable housings which are better and cheaper compared to the houses under the same, PR1MA concept by the Federal Government,” he added.

MBPJ Asked to Research into Free Buses in Kota Damansara

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The State Government will ask Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Shah Alam Municipal Council (MBSA) to present a detailed investigation and to hold discussions regarding the provision of a free bus service in Kota Damansara.

The matter was brought forward by the Kota Damansara Assemblyman, Dr Nasir Hashim following the lack of public transportation in his area, especially to Sungai Buloh Hospital.

Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco member, Ronnie Liu said that the State Government and the Federal Government as well as the Land Public Transport Comission (SPAD) are working to overcome the problem.

“I have come to understand that the SPAD has the allocation to actualise the bus service and now talks are underway,” he said in the Selangor State Assembly sitting.

Ronnie added that as of now, the State Government has already provided two free bus services for the people of Putrajaya which is controlled by MBPJ.

“Truthfully, the responsibility of providing public transportation lies within the authority of the Federal Government. The State Government does not have the right to plan. However, we will try to take the initiative,” he said.