SHAH ALAM, Nov 11 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari tabled the 2024 Selangor Budget yesterday, with a RM2.53 billion allocation for management and development expenditures.
With the theme ‘Independent Selangor: Driving Progress, Fostering Unity,’ the state budget outlined four core thrusts, namely to drive quality investments and generate high income; promote smart education and ensure a sustainable environment; safeguard the welfare of the people, and fostering unity within the ‘ummah’.
Here are some key highlights offered to the people of Selangor:
Special Financial Aid
- Incentive of two and a half months’ salary for state civil servants.
High-value Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme
- RM1 million to establish the Selangor Skills and Jobs Council.
- Offer 100,000 high-paying job opportunities in the fields of food and beverage, electrical and electronics, life sciences, transportation, machinery, and equipment.
Public Transportation
- RM3 million to develop the Kita Selangor Rail network from Klang to Kuala Selangor, Tanjong Karang, and Sabak Bernam.
- Expand the on-demand transit van services (DRT) in all local government areas.
Roads and Infrastructure
- RM145 million to improve road networks implement major road maintenance projects, as well as install street lights and traffic lights.
Infrasel Sdn Bhd personnel carrying out road resurfacing works along Jalan Persiaran Elmina 1/1, Kuala Selangor, on June 11, 2023. — Picture via FACEBOOK/INFRASEL
Rural Infrastructure
- RM4 million to upgrade dilapidated infrastructure, including community halls and public halls.
Free broadband coverage.
Food Security
- RM40 million to stockpile food (rice, fish, meat) in facing climate change.
- Diversify food supplies (coconut, rice, bananas) to reduce external imports.
Empower of Women Entrepreneurs
- RM3.3 million to strengthen the Women Entrepreneurs League for business startups, financial management, marketing, and product placement.
Free Tuition Programme
- RM10 million to target 200,000 students to join the Selangor People’s Tuition Programme within five years.
Education Funds
- RM3 million to implement the Selangor Higher Education Institution Study Award (RM1,000 for Level 4 skills certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree).
- RM9 million to continue the scholarship fund to assist students in furthering their studies locally and internationally.
Public Health
- RM35 million for 100,000 Iltizam Selangor Sihat policyholders to receive basic medical treatment and annual vaccinations of RM500 per family and RM250 per individual.
- Hospitalisation benefits of up to RM10,000 per year, with RM5,000 for critical illnesses and natural deaths each.
- Bantuan Sihat Selangor up to RM5,000 for the less fortunate to cover dialysis costs, cataract surgeries, and cancer treatments.
- Up to RM5,000 aid for heart treatments.
- RM1.5 million to cover basic clinical treatments, deaths, permanent disabilities, critical illnesses, and funeral expenses for civil servants.
- RM3.2 million for the Selangor Saring programme, including cancer screenings.
Healthcare personnel drawing blood from Selangor Saring participants during the programme at Grand Sabak Hotel, Sabak Bernam, on May 28, 2022. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI
Housing
- RM220 million for the Smart Rent Scheme targeting 810 units.
- RM200,000 to resolve long-occupied strata ownership issues in apartments.
- RM300,000 to rehabilitate public housing projects.
Assistance for Nurseries, Kindergartens, and Special-Needs Children
- RM100 monthly subsidy for nursery fees and RM50 per month for kindergarten expenses.
- RM500 savings in the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) Prime for five years for 30,000 children born from 2022 onwards.
- RM1 million for the Selangor Special Needs Children (AnIS) initiative.
Welfare Assistance
- Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selang (Bingkas) for 30,000 families to buy basic goods (RM300 monthly).
- RM2.1 million to assist traders in buying equipment and machinery (Blueprint programme).
- RM16.48 million allocated for Jom Shopping vouchers for 82,400 households earning below RM3,000 per month.
- RM2 million to assist B40 in homeownership.
- RM37.5 million for Skim Mesra Usia Emas dan Skim Mesra Insan Istimewa (RM150 shopping vouchers and RM500 death benefits).
Legal Aid Fund
- RM3,000 subsidy for each case for households with incomes up to RM5,000
Women and Family
- RM4 million for women’s activities and programmes.
- Continuation of the Empowered Women Selangor Scholarship.
Islamic Affairs
- Quran and Fardhu Ain Integration Class (Kafai) fee subsidies.
- RM5 million for the RM30 monthly aid for parents paying Kafai fees in full.
- Muassasah Haj Incentive.
- RM3 million allocated for pocket money Hajj pilgrims (RM500 per person).
Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in their holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on August 8, 2019. — Picture by REUTERS
