By Azrin Muhammad
SHAH ALAM, Sept 25 — The 2025 Selangor Budget, which is set to be tabled in mid-November, must prioritise disaster management as one of the main focuses to ensure the safety and well-being of the people.
Selangor Greater Klang Valley researcher Shamsaini Shamsudin said the state administration should establish an emergency fund, as well as a dedicated budget for public awareness campaigns to educate the community.
“We are currently in a situation where disasters can occur at any time, so it is crucial to start preparing now before it is too late.
“This is a critical issue and we need to implement community programmes to raise awareness about the importance of early preparedness,” he said during the 2025 Selangor Budget dialogue session yesterday.
Meanwhile, Selayang Municipal Council councillor U Chin Ong suggested that Selangor promote its waste-to-energy (WTE) project which is being developed in Rawang.
For this, a thorough explanation is necessary, as the construction of two WTE incinerators in the area has faced objections from over 4,000 residents due to concerns about potential risks.
“We need to inform the community about the long-term benefits of WTE, especially as landfill space becomes increasingly limited.
“This also includes raising awareness about proper waste management, as some people still struggle to differentiate between household waste and bulk waste collection,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sabak Bernam District Council secretary Mohd Azreen Arifin hopes the 2025 Selangor Budget will strike a balance between environmental sustainability and infrastructure development.
He said Sabak Bernam has made significant contributions to food security and forest conservation but lags in terms of infrastructure development.
“Next year, Sabak Bernam aims to focus on agro-tourism, including creating job opportunities for the local community. As such, state incentives are highly awaited,” he said.
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Stakeholders participating in the 2025 Selangor Budget dialogue session at the Setia City Convention Centre in Section U13, Shah Alam, on September 24, 2024. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
