By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
KLANG, Oct 27 — Selangor has allocated over RM11 million this year to carry out several targeted aid programmes for the Indian community in the state, which include welfare, educational empowerment, entrepreneurship support, and places of worship.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari stated that the state government is committed to ensuring the welfare of all ethnic groups in Selangor, including the Indian community.
“This is part of our approach, as each community has unique needs and requires different types of assistance. We see a need for educational aid, infrastructure, and so on.
“The state government has consistently considered education as a means of implementing development within the country and state, as it is the foundation and critical component in driving transformation.
“I have previously highlighted that this differentiates the Unity Government in Selangor, which is what we have to offer. While we aim to attract investments and create numerous job opportunities, what sets us apart is our emphasis on educational opportunities, whether by providing them directly or inviting investors with educational initiatives,” he said in his speech at the Selangor Deepavali celebration at Dataran Klang @ Padang Chetty, here last night.
Meanwhile, addressing more than 5,000 attendees at the Deepavali event last night, Amirudin said the celebration reflects unity, harmony, and goodwill between races and religions.
“It is customary in our country that when a festive season arrives, the whole community, regardless of religion, race, and culture, would come together and celebrate it with joy and mutual respect.
“The vibrant Deepavali celebration at the state level tonight (last night) is evident from the turnout of people from all walks of life,” he said.
Amirudin also urged the people of Selangor to contribute to the state and national progress.
“Let us all foster the spirit of unity among our diverse communities.
“Each religion emphasises good values, and it is our responsibility to practice and uphold them for the harmony, prosperity, and progress of our state and country,” he added.
Earlier at the event, Amirudin gave festive gifts to around 300 children and presented mock cheques for higher education fee assistance and maintenance support for Tamil schools.
Educational fee assistance of RM1.54 million was symbolically presented for Indian students from the low-income group (B40) attending public and private higher education institutions.
RM5 million in aid for infrastructure upgrades at Tamil vernacular schools (SJKT), RM1 million in equipment support for the Indian Selangor Empowerment and Entrepreneurs Development (i-SEED) initiative, and aid for temples were also presented.
This includes the handover of mock cheques to 15 i-SEED entrepreneurs with an allocation of over RM100,000.
The Jom Shopping voucher aid programme, in conjunction with Deepavali, also benefitted 22,000 B40 Indian recipients with a total allocation of RM4.4 million this year.
