By Amin Ridzuan Ishak
SERVING and defending the people regardless of their race is the Selangor state government’s main agenda, one which also benefits the residents of the Gombak constituency.
Emphasis is also given to welfare, health, and the development of Islam, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, who is also the representative of Sungai Tua — one of the three state seats under the Gombak parliamentary seat.
The state is also injecting tens of millions of ringgit into housing, public facilities and schools, and addressing issues of land ownership for the people.
In this report, journalist AMIN RIDZUAN ISHAK outlines some of the state’s people-oriented policies and initiatives.
Making housing affordable
As more and more people move to Selangor’s urban spaces, housing has become a major issue. The Selangor government acknowledges that affordable homes, whether for purchase or rent, must be made available to underprivileged groups.
The state’s housing plans are as below:
- To launch1,660 affordable home units in strategic locations around Batu Caves
- To maintain the price of Rumah Selangorku @ Seri Temenggung with an area of 900 square feet at RM65,000 a unit
- To offer 1,240 units of Bayu Residence @ Seri Temenggung at a starting price of RM225,000 (for 862 square feet homes)
Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) has also proposed to build 45,760 units of Rumah Idaman in strategic locations including Gombak.
Prices for the units start at RM250,000 for 1,000 square feet and the homes come with facilities such as air-conditioning units, a television set, a refrigerator, wardrobes and water heaters.
Owners will also get two parking spaces and have access to a multipurpose hall, a swimming pool and a playground.
Recently, 29 families who were dwelling in slums also accepted Rumah Selangorku offers.
Settling land issues
The Selangor government is also in the midst of resolving issues of land ownership in Gombak following feedback from the people there who have been waiting for legal documents on the status of the land they have been living on.
The state’s action to help the people expedite the issues are as below:
- Distribute ownership application letters (Notice 5A) to help residents own the land
- Give replacement land to the residents of Kampung Sungai Tua and Kampung Bendehara in Kuang and Batu Arang
- Develop unused land near river banks to prevent frequent flooding
- Complete land surveys for the gazetting process of Orang Asli villages, including the ones in Gombak, this term
Education gets priority
Amirudin has allocated RM78 million for education needs in Selangor this year, making it among his top agendas.
Residents of Gombak will benefit through the upgrading of classroom facilities and the provision of learning materials and equipment.
The state’s education plans are as below:
- Repairing school facilities through Bantuan Sekolah Negeri Selangor
- Providing a RM30 subsidy for every child of B40 families to attend al-Quran and Fardu Ain Integrasi (Kafa-i) classes each month
- Providing fee assistance of RM100 and RM50 to send children to nurseries and kindergartens registered under the Department of Social Welfare
- Providing cash assistance and necessities to underprivileged students at schools and institutes of higher learning around Gombak
- Gifting students with Sijil Simpanan Premium (SSP) accounts to help them save for the future
- Providing necessities under the back-to-school programme
- Providing funding for bright students to further their studies
- Providing after-school study assistance through the Tuisyen Rakyat Selangor (PTRS) programme
- Providing students with customer identification module (SIM) cards to help with online learning
Improving public facilities
The state government is making improvements to public facilities in Gombak for the comfort of its residents. This is in line with Selangor’s promise to manage the welfare of its people and to increase their quality of life.
The state’s plans to upgrade Gombak’s facilities are as below:
- To build new roads and upgrade existing roads from Selayang Mutiara to the Hulu Yam junction at a cost of RM19 million
- To reduce traffic congestion and make travel easier for residents of Kampung Bendahara, Selayang Mutiara and Sungai Tua
- To build a new bridge in Kampung Sungai Salak, Batu 10 at a cost of RM500,000
- Infrasel Sdn Bhd (Infrasel) to repair state roads and patch up potholes in 24 hours upon receiving complaints, including those made via social media
- To allocate RM1.4 million to solve the land subsidence problem in Cemerlang Heights Apartments
- To upgrade the lifts and fences of Kenanga Apartment, Gombak Permai at a cost of RM850,000
- To resolve water supply issues at Laksamana Apartments, Laksamana Village and Luxury Apartments, Bolton Park
- To build an exercise path at Seri Gombak Lake Park
- To replace old pipes to avoid water supply interruptions
