By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, August 4 — A total of 70,000 people from several targeted groups in Selangor, including students, small traders and single mothers, are expected to benefit from the Selangor Internet Data programme, says Dato’ Amirudin Shari.
The Menteri Besar said all state executive councillors, state representatives, and constituency coordinators would work together to ensure all targeted recipients register for the programme.
“We understand that during the challenging times, not everyone can afford to pay for their internet data.
“Therefore, as a start, we will provide 200 free sim cards in each constituency in Selangor, and those who require the assistance can liaise with their respective service centres to apply,” he said in a special announcement broadcast live on Facebook today.
The free sim cards come with a monthly internet data quota borne entirely by the Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) for 12 months.
A total of RM17.5 million is allocated for the internet data initiative under the Kita Selangor 2.0 Package.
He also announced that the state government would continue to empower the Selangor People’s Tuition Programme (PTRS) and the students who have participated in the programme. Eligible Yayasan Selangor borrowers will also be given free sim cards to ensure their online learning process continuity.
Furthermore, Amirudin added that each state executive councillor had been assigned to help a specific targeted group in their respective portfolios, which are as follows:
- Dato’ Teng Chang Kim (state executive councillor for industrial and trade) through the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) will identify the eligible recipients among the Selangor e-bazaar traders;
- Izham Hashim (state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture) through the state Economic Planning Unit (Upen) will contact the eligible farmers for the programme;
- Rodziah Ismail (state executive councillor for housing, urban wellbeing and entrepreneur development) will ensure the Grab riders and small traders registered with Platform Selangor, licenced under the local authorities and Selangor Digital e-Supply Chain (Seldec), will benefit from the initiative;
- Mohd Khairuddin Othman (state executive councillor for youth development) will identify eligible student with the help of the Universiti Selangor (UniSEL), Kolej Universiti Islam Selangor (Kuis) and Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC);
- Borhan Aman Shah (state executive councillor for culture and rural development) through Upen as coordinating agency will ensure the programme would benefit the head villages and Village Community Management Council (MPKK) secretaries;
- Ng Sze Han (state executive councillor for local government and public transportation) through Upen will identify the eligible head of village and Bagan and the secretaries to participate in the programme;
- Ganabatirau Veraman (state executive councillor for community welfare) through Upen will coordinate all Indian community heads to join the programme.
- Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni (state executive councillor for Islamic affairs) through the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) will reach out to the eligible Islamic preachers in the state to be part of the programme;
- Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (state executive councillor for public health, women and family development) will assist single mothers with the help of Upen;
- Hee Loy Sian (state executive councillor for tourism and environment) through the Orang Asli Development Department will coordinate the distribution of free sim cards to ensure the smooth online learning process for Orang Asli children
