By Sheeda Fathil
KLANG, Oct 8 — Sentosa assemblyman Dr G. Gunarajah intends to apply for additional Jom Shopping Deepavali vouchers from the state government to meet the needs of the Hindu population in the area.
The government lawmaker said this is because the majority of the population in the area consisted of Indians who are mostly low and middle income.
“So far, we have received 650 vouchers. This number is not enough because there are 90,000 voters here and 50 per cent of them, about 45,000 are Indian voters.
“I hope that the gift of vouchers this time can be increased to 1,000 so that many people can benefit from it, thereby easing their burden in preparing for Deepavali.” he said this when met after officiating at a gotong-royong programme at the Bukit Tinggi City Apartment 2, here, today.
The 2023 Selangor Budget allocated RM16.48 million for the Jom Shopping voucher programme in conjunction with the festival which is set to benefit 82,400 recipients.
In addition to Deepavali, the aid programme was also given to less able families to buy essential goods for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year.
The voucher’s value was increased from RM100 to RM200 after taking into account the economic situation and the needs of the people.
Meanwhile, during the gotong-royong exercise more than 300 residents and volunteers from the Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Bandar Klang collected 1,500 kg of garbage at Bukit Tinggi City Apartment 2.
Gunarajah said the programme, which ran from 8am to 12 noon, aimed to ensure the residential area was clean and dengue-free.
“Here there are 12 blocks and more than 1,600 residential units. I understand that previously there were frequent cases of dengue fever in every block due to the less clean environment.
“Thus, JCI Bandar Klang agreed to cooperate with the Sentosa State Legislative Assembly community service office to organise this gotong-royong,” he said.
Earlier, Gunaraj also launched the Sentosa State Assembly: Green and Clean Initiative Resolution 2 to ensure that residential areas in the constituency are sustainable in line with the determination of the Klang Municipal Council.
“Thank you to the residents and JCI Bandar Klang who cooperated in the field to clean the surroundings of Bandar Bukit Tinggi Apartment 2 today.
“I hope this attitude continues and does not stop until now, but is practiced every day to ensure that our living environment is always clean,” he said.
