SHAH ALAM, June 28: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah wants the Selangor Government to continue to care for the welfare of the people by broadening the scope of programmes under the ‘Localising the Selangor Economy’ (MES- Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor) agenda.
“I hope that this effort will help ease the burden of the people and reduce income disparities among the people.
“The (state) government’s attentiveness also should include the indigenous people as well as the Disabled so that they can sit equally and stand equally with the rest of the people in Selangor,” he said.
He said this while delivering a speech at the Opening Ceremony of the First Term of the 13th Selangor State Assembly this morning.
As Head of Religious Affairs in Selangor, he also stressed for the Selangor Government to focus on efforts to improve the quality of life of Muslims in the state.
“To develop the community, education and economy must be a priority and this effort has never been an excuse to ignore or marginalise others.
“In fact, progress of Muslims as the majority group in this country is able to positively impact the state and the people,” he added.
Since 2008 till February this year, the State Government has spent RM856 million for the success of 29 welfare programmes under the MES.
Among them is the Golden Age Scheme (SMUE), Free Water Every Month, the Selangor Children’s Heritage Fund (Tawas), University Entrance Gift, Women’s Health Scheme, the People’s Tuition Programme and the Farm Workers Children’s Fund.
For the state budget, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) obtained the highest amount of provisions, which is over RM130 million per year.
Over the past five years, the State Government has spent over RM40 million to build mosques and religious schools, while more than RM46 million have been allocated for reparations and refurbishments of mosques.
In addition, the State Government has also raised the allowance of teachers of Kafa Schools, from RM400 to RM1,300 per month as an investment in human capital.
