By Fitri Hazim Hazam
SHAH ALAM, Oct 31 — Selangor prioritises the welfare of all communities, assisting to address issues faced by residents regardless of their background, including the Indian community within the state.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said that various forms of assistance provided by the state government to all segments of society align with its commitment to bring prosperity and happiness to the people and to uphold the dignity of its citizens.
The state government, in collaboration with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, has allocated RM75 million to resolve housing issues affecting over 1,200 families across five estates in the Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor districts.
"With the spirit of Malaysia Madani and Kita Selangor, the state and Federal governments have channelled RM75 million to resolve long-standing issues involving five estates, namely Ladang Mary, Ladang Minyak, Ladang Sungai Tinggi, Ladang Nigel Gardner, and Ladang Bukit Tagar.
[caption id="attachment_378056" align="aligncenter" width="1498"]
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (centre) officiates the Selangor-level Deepavali celebration at Dataran Klang @ Padang Chetty in Klang on October 26, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
"This is a clear recent example of how the state government is championing all communities, including advocating for housing solutions for former plantation workers in these five estates," he said in his Deepavali message today on Facebook.
Amirudin noted that the state government has invested RM59.6 million in education for 151 schools across Selangor to empower Tamil vernacular schools, from 2009 to 2023.
It has also implemented a bus fare subsidy programme since 2013, benefiting 26,200 students from Tamil vernacular schools with a RM7.87 million allocation, covering subsidies of RM300 each.
"In addition, the state government has worked to recognise Indian community places of worship, particularly temples in Selangor, by gazetting temple sites of up to 10,000 square feet.
"This is to ensure that these places of worship are protected, allowing them to conduct their rituals freely without concerns over land rights or status," he said.
The Menteri Besar also expressed hope that the Deepavali celebrations would foster unity across Selangor, bringing together a community that values mutual understanding and respect.
