The state also aims to elevate the start-up scene by allocating RM100m under the SIF and RM200m to solve its water crisis

by ASILA JALIL / pic by TMR FILE

SELANGOR Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (picture) said the state Budget 2021 is able to create 15,000 job opportunities for the people of Selangor, especially those who are badly hit by the Movement Control Order (MCO) as a result of the pandemic.

Among the state’s effort to generate more job opportunities is through the “Selangor Kerjaya” initiative which targets to provide 10,000 vacancies that are suitable with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 via upskilling and reskilling. The targeted groups for this initiative are university and high school graduates including those with vocational training and employees who were laid off.

Selangor also aims to elevate the start-up scene by allocating RM100 million under the Selangor Innovation Fund (SIF).

The initiative will identify potential technology start-up companies in Selangor to be given venture capital investment.

“It has the potential to support the third economic stimulus package where the targeted group is technology start-up companies that can bring in the latest technology to lead the transformation of Smart State 2025 and develop new economic growth in the state,” he said.

To further develop Selangor as a smart state, Amirudin said the leaders wish for the state to have the widest 5G network coverage.

Widest 5G Network

Under the pilot project titled SMARTSEL, the government has allocated RM3 million to develop 5G infrastructure at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Building, which is Selangor’s state secretariat building, to ease operations for employees, as well as the public who are in the building and around the premises.

Meanwhile, noting the need to uplift and motivate small businesses, Amirudin announced the “Niaga Darul Ehsan” initiative which enables budding entrepreneurs and hawkers to apply for licence from local authorities to run their businesses without having to submit a certificate from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).

“They are also qualified to apply for loans from as low as RM1,000 until RM3,000 without having to have a permanent premise such as online businesses.

“However, these traders still need to get a certificate from SSM within six months. If they fail to do so, their licence from the local council will not be renewed,” he added.

Amirudin also announced that the state government has agreed to give a half month salary incentive to civil servants Grade 54 and below as a token of appreciation for their efforts and commitments.

He said the incentive under “Bantuan Khas Kewangan” (BKK) totalling RM16.53 million will be paid on Dec 29, 2020.

It will be the second round of BKK for the civil servants. The first round of the incentive was executed in June where all Grade 54 civil servants and below received an incentive of RM1,000.

As the pandemic hampered operations in the entertainment industry, Amirudin announced a reduction in entertainment tax from 25% to 15%, which will be enforced on Jan 1, 2021, specifically for the organisation of arts activities or ticketed events for local artists.

“With this initiative we hope it would help the local entertainment industry increase productivity, quality and competency to be better than foreign artists,” he said.

Solutions for Water Pollution

Touching on the water crisis that has plagued Selangor over the years especially during the MCO this year, the state government has allocated RM200 million in the state’s budget solely to solve water pollution issues.

The first solution highlighted by Amirudin is to implement an amendment in the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) Enactment 1999 to increase the fine for polluting water sources.

“The proposal to amend the LUAS Enactment will be brought up to get an approval in the state legislative assembly sitting,” he said.

Amirudin had previously said the state government will push to double the penalty for water pollution from RM500,000 to RM1 million.

Other solutions include the implementation of the Bio Remediation Project for the conservation of Sungai Gong’s water quality. The pilot project will be replicated at Sungai Sembah, Sungai Beranang and Sungai Buah, which were identified as the main source for pollution at Sungai Selangor and Sungai Langat.

The Selangor government will also enable a 24 hour surveillance at sensitive water sources areas such as Lembangan Sungai Selangor and Sungai Langat, and it will also implement raw water pumping project from HORAS 600 reservoir in Sungai Selangor and Sungai Semenyih to ensure Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the Sungai Selangor Water Treatment Plants (LRA), Rantau Panjang LRA and Semenyih LRA will not stop operations when water pollution occurs.

“The state government had allocated RM200 million for the implementation of these four projects which will commence this year and is expected to complete within 18 months.

“We are confident this will reduce up to 90% risks for Phases 1 and 2 of the Sungai Selangor LRA, Rantau Panjang LRA and Semenyih LRA 1 and 2 to stop operating which will cause water disruptions to 1.6 million users due to the pollution,” said Amirudin.

The Selangor government unveiled its Budget 2021 worth RM2.32 billion last Friday, slightly lower than the budget allocated for this year which was RM2.33 billion.

Amirudin said 53% of the total, or RM1.22 billion is allocated for administrative cost, while the remaining 47% or RM1.1 billion will go towards development expenses.

“Taking into account the state revenue of RM2.2 billion and an estimated budget of RM2.32 billion, the 2021 budget will face a deficit of RM123 million due to a substantive development allocation to meet the needs of sustainable development.”