By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Aug 25 — The effort to eradicate poverty in Selangor for the current state legislative term will look at urban residents who have lost their supplementary income sources due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The state executive councillor for poverty eradication, V. Papparaidu, said he is seeking to offer suitable courses to the urban poor, to ensure they can become self-reliant and generate income.
The state government will also continue the Poverty Eradication Blueprint programme for small urban entrepreneurs so their businesses can continue to survive.
“The seriousness of the situation was clearly evident when I was helping urban residents affected by the pandemic. Many of the urban poor found it challenging to make ends meet as the head of their (respective) households lost their jobs.
“That made me realise many residents in impoverished urban areas are suffering greatly, and require assistance,” he said when contacted.
During the tabling of the 2023 Selangor Budget on November 25 last year, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the Poverty Eradication Blueprint will be extended with a RM2 million allocation.
The state government will provide assistance in terms of equipment or machinery for vendors, traders, or self-employed individuals in Selangor.
Since its launch in 2013, the programme has benefited approximately 4,321 small entrepreneurs at a RM21.6 million allocation, as of July this year.
