Johary (centre) with MBSJ councillors and department heads after MBSJ’s January 2023 full board meeting. He has been promoted to Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) director and Selangor state deputy secretary (development).
Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) will meet resident groups and interested parties to brief them on guidelines for the Subang Jaya Smart Vibrant Community Grants (SJSVCG) 2023.
Subang Jaya deputy mayor Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali said a number of residents were still unclear on the requirements and other details of the newly launched initiative.
“We have received enquiries from several groups, so we will have MBSJ secretariat officers meet them in groups to brief them and answer queries,” he said.
Mohd Zulkurnain said the community grant featured a “bottom up” approach by getting residents to implement initiatives to improve their environment, economy and community.
“The planning of such initiative is by, for and with the people.
“The councillor’s or assemblyman’s role is to endorse the projects, not propose or implement something that will be carried out by residents.
“Councillors have been briefed about SJSVCG 2023 and the secretariat has three phone numbers that interested applicants can call to seek clarification,” he said after chairing the full board meeting yesterday at MBSJ’s headquarters in USJ5, Subang Jaya.
The SJSVCG 2023 offers grants totalling RM3mil for community-oriented projects to improve and uplift the city.
Grants of between RM8,000 and RM50,000 are available for resident groups, non-governmental organisations and educational institutions to carry out a project or activity involving community participation and inclusivity to make Subang Jaya a sustainable city.
Mohd Zulkurnain said the grants should be for projects to be carried out within MBSJ’s administrative area only and not for operational costs of existing projects.
The projects should fit one of six criteria, namely prosperous, safe, smart, green, healthy or sustainable city.
At the full board meeting, councillor Kamarul Hisham Yeop Hashim asked about the lack of clarity on community grant criteria and type of applicants.
“Many residents are unsure if their organisation qualifies or if their proposed project is suitable for the grant,” he said.
“Many are enquiring about security-related matters such as installing CCTV cameras to catch litterbugs, upgrading CCTV systems or maintenance of fences and gates around their neighbourhood,” said Kamarul.
On the threat of dengue fever, Mohd Zulkurnain urged residents to spend at least 10 minutes a week to search and destroy potential mosquito breeding grounds in their homes as cases were on the rise.
“As of epidemiology week 4, which was between Jan 22 and 28, a total of 611 positive cases were reported this year, compared to 556 cases during the same period last year in areas under MBSJ’s administration.
“The hotspots recording the highest number of cases are Desaminium Rimba, Lestari Perdana with 30 cases within 66 days and USJ 9/5 with 30 cases within 49 days,” he said.
Former Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Johary Anuar dropped by at the end of the meeting to deliver a parting message.
He congratulated MBSJ for being able to surpass last year’s revenue collection target, thanks to the higher-than-targeted collection from non-tax revenue such as licences and permits, and hoped the city council would be able to continue its track record.
Johary has been promoted to Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) director and Selangor state deputy secretary (development). He reported for his new duty on Jan 30.
