By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, April 1 — The Selangor government has announced an additional allocation of RM272.5 million in the second phase of the state stimulus package, Selangor Cares Package 2.0, which brings a total RM400 million to fund the economic impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
On March 20, the state administration had announced the RM127.78 million allocation for the first phase of the stimulus package, which had included seven initiatives.
In the second phase, Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari had revealed several more initiatives, formulated based on two core challenges as a result of the outbreak.
“Firstly, on how to combat and contain the outbreak from spreading, and secondly, to address the current and post-pandemic economic situation.
“The state government has allocated RM272 million for this purpose. The state administration has agreed to assist the Federal government’s efforts to stop the spread of the outbreak in Selangor,” he said in a broadcasted press conference today.
Amirudin said practising the ‘whole of government, whole of society approach’, the state government has launched the Selangor Covid-19 Fund, which will kick-off with contributions from the salary of state leaders and top officials.
He said a total amount of RM8.07 million is expected to be collected from the salary cut of the Menteri Besar, state executive councillors, state assemblymen, as well as the top officials from state government subsidiaries.
“The state government has to lead the way for us to win this battle. In order to make this happen, we need the support of each individual, institution as well as government agencies, and it is important that we have a professional symbiotic relationship for the good of the people.
“We have seen how all of the Malaysians are facing the Covid-19 outbreak. The biggest asset of the country is the people itself.
“The strength would enable us to combat the Covid-19 disease and continue in efforts to restore the country’s economy,” he said.
