By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
AMPANG, April 29 — State welfare programmes are constantly being enhanced to ensure their benefits reach the intended targets and meet the people’s current needs, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said such programmes are implemented meticulously and systematically to achieve the ultimate goal of providing support to those in need.
“Some have accused me of being stingy, dishonest, or withdrawing welfare programmes. In actuality, in terms of welfare funds, we have allocated more compared to the previous year.
“What we have reduced, for example, is free water (with a reason). Previously, free water was provided to everyone including households, community service centres, and commercial premises, but now we target the needy instead,” Amirudin said.
He was speaking at the 2024 Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house for the Hulu Kelang state constituency at the Ramadan bazaar site on the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council’s grounds yesterday.
Amirudin added that state welfare programmes are constantly improved via the increased allocations for several like Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selangor (Bingkas), Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE), and the Jom Shopping Perayaan initiative.
“In addition, for this year, RM10 million has been allocated for the Jualan Ehsan Rahmah affordable basic necessities sales programme, and RM50 million allocated to ensure food security for Selangor’s people.
“This year also marks the first time in Selangor’s history that the state government is fully sponsoring 36 Selangor pilgrims to perform the Hajj, in addition to continuing the muassasah pilgrims’ incentive,” he said.
The state government introduced the First Selangor Plan (RS-1) in 2022, a five-year plan outlining 262 long-term development projects, including welfare initiatives, to strengthen the service delivery system to the people.
