Tag: Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor Programs

Microcredit Scheme Also For Youth

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The Selangor State Government will be giving everyone, including youths, the opportunity to start a business via the Urban Microcredit Scheme (Mimbar).

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation Exco, Rodziah Ismail said that in addition to providing services to those who have already started businesses, Mimbar Niaga is opening up opportunities to individuals who want to generate income to improve living standards.

She said that youth who want to start a business will be given the capital, basic equipment as well as consistent guidance.

“Under the Mimbar Niaga programme, the State Government will be providing the basic capital and guidance to participants. This programme is also aims to assist individuals who do not already have businesses but want to give it a shot for a trial period of 6 months. If successful, their businesses can be expanded to a higher level,” she said.

Rodziah said this while answering questions from Amirudin Shari (PKR-Batu Caves) regarding the Selangor Microcredit Scheme (Skimsel) and Mimbar.

Rodiah added that since October this year, 12,175 participants have qualified to receive assistance from both the schemes; 6758 under Skimsel and 5417 under Mimbar.

From the total, 2,962 participants are youths (Skimsel), while for Mimbar, 2,331.

“Skimsel has successfully managed to obtain 97.02% of the returns while Mimbar, 83.03%. Most of the loans are paid back consistently by the participants using the bank services provided,” she added.

The People of Selangor Benefit from the Move to Pakatan Rakyat’s Government

SHAH ALAM, 15 Nov: Selangor’s move from the previous government (Umno-BN) to the new administration has benefited the people of this state.

The ‘Merakyatkan Ekonomi Negeri Selangor (MES)’ or loosely termed the Selangor People’s Ecomony, is most evident of the benefits reaped by the rakyat.

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation Exco member, Rodziah Ismail said, the change of government has clearly benefitted the Selangor people economically, politically and also environmentally in addition to efforts to introduce culture to the people through the formation of Women’s Cultural Centres or Pusat Wanita Berdaya (PWD) around the state of Selangor.

“All 25 demands in the 12th General Elections Manifesto have been fulfilled except those that require changes in Federal level Acts.”

“For instance, housewives are given lifetime financial security through periodic contributions to EPF (KWSP) and SOCSO,” said Rodziah in her media statement in accordance with the Awal Muharam 1434 Hijrah celebrations.

She said that the “Kembalikan Nikmat Rasa Aman dan Selamat Rakyat” (Return the People’s Peacefulness and Security) agenda is the Selangor government’s ambition to make Selangor the safest and most prosperous state for the people.

Efforts to increase the rakyat’s quality of life, especially those from low income groups, have been made through affordable housing, free wi-fi, child care for working parents and single mothers as well as free water supply.

This also includes efforts in upgrading infrastructure, investment programmes for new-born babies, educational contributions to students of higher education, Women’s Health Schemes, microcredit schemes and economic empowerment programmes as well as efforts for women’s development through PWD.

“The move from the old administration to the new administration aspires to optimise resources at a minimum cost to fully localise revenues and reserves for the welfare of the people,” she said.

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.


More Tadika Rakyat, Proposed State Government

PETALING JAYA, NOV 10: The State Government has proposed to build three more Tadika Rakyats in Serendah, Kampar and Dengkil to facilitate children from low income families to receive preschool education.

The constructions of these kindergartens are the continuation of the two existing kindergartens in Taman Sentosa, Klang and Kampung Lindungan in Petaling Jaya.

Hence, Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Exco, Dr. Xavier Jayakumar, welcomed parents who cannot afford preschool education to send their children to these kindergartens.

“This kindergarten is open to all races. Therefore, people in this area, do not miss the chance to register your children.”

“In addition to the low fees, children will also be exposed to early childhood education,” he added.

He said, pre-school education is the first step to prepare children before the commencement of
statutory education.

“Based on research, there are still 30 percent of children who are not enrolled in any preschool because they cannot afford the monthly fee.”

As a result, many children are left behind in terms of education like not knowing how to write, count or read.

This causes them to fall behind their peers when they eventually enter primary school and this causes serious problems in the long term.

“Lack of exposure to education in the early stages is among the factors that contribute to social problems,” he said during the Tadika Rakyat Kampung Lindungan launching ceremony here, early this morning.

The Tadika Rakyat at Kampung Lindungan is the second branch that has been built by the State Government along with the non-governmental organization (NGO), Child Information, Learning and Development Centre (Child).

The kindergarten is reserved for families earning below RM 1,500.

In addition to providing comfortable learning, students are only charged as low as RM 20 per month.

The kindergarten costing about RM 460,000 has been equipped with eight classes and is able to accommodate about 20 students per class.

The State Government has provided RM 50,000 for each of the kindergartens.

Also present was Local Government, Research and Development Exco, Ronnie Liu, Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Taman Medan assemblyman, Haniza Talha, Kelana Jaya MP, Gwo Burne Loh and Deputy Mayor of Petaling Jaya, Puasa Md Taib.