SHAH ALAM, 11 June: Those earning a low income and the poor will receive assistance in increasing income through a variety of programmes, including agriculture, to face challenges as the cost of living increases each year.
The Executive Councillor for Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government, V.Ganabatirau, said that efforts are being carried out to ensure that the target group is able to enjoy a more comfortable life and leaves the poverty line.
He said that research carried out by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) and the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) found that half a million of the 5.78 million people of Selangor consists of low-income earners and the poor.
He said that with the increasing cost of living, as well as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will be implemented next year, the State Government and related parties should work together to help solve the problem collectively.
“The suggestion from Dr M.Saravanan (Prinsipal Nexus Ec Sdn Bhd) regarding the Selangorku Mobile Grocery (SMG) vans is an innovative idea. Maybe we can have kiosks, Selangorku kiosk shops where we can choose certain items.
“If there is a basic grant of RM10 million, for a start, we can manage and provide services to target areas effectively. We can practice the use of cards for those earning RM1,500. They can buy goods at low prices by using the cards given,” he said at the Selangor Budget 2015 Dialogue.
To increase the income of the group, Ganabatirau said that the clearing of land for agriculture is the latest crop system that could be implemented.
He said that training and skills programmes should also be proposed through INPENS, with an allocation of RM2 million per year, to increase the achievement of the young people.
“The Department of Statistics, from the Federal Government, outlined that the poverty line in Malaysia is RM760. I am a little sceptical with any research done by the Federal Government, but the State Government has changed the poverty line to RM1,500.
“I believe we are talking about half a million of people, as mentioned earlier, who are earning below RM1,500,” he said.
