RM130mil to cushion impact of Mid-East conflict

RM25mil is being allocated to support farmers, fishermen and smallholders affected by the high price of diesel. — Filepic

Selangor allocation buffers vulnerable groups against inflation

SELANGOR has pledged RM130.42mil in financial aid to buffer vulnerable groups against the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the Selangor Resilience Strengthening Package Phase 1 initiative would be implemented as early as May or June.

The funds were allocated following the state budget review and several savings measures, including the cancellation of Hari Raya Aidilfitri open houses.

“RM5mil will be allocated for ‘Jelajah Ehsan Rahmah’ (JER) through Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS), which will take place once a month in each state constituency,” said Amirudin during a press conference at Wisma Dewan Negeri Selangor, Shah Alam.

“This will ease the cost of living for low-income groups, and is expected to benefit up to 168,000 households.

“This effort is in addition to the existing allocation of RM5mil, which brings the total for JER 2026 to RM10mil.”

JER is a state initiative by PKPS that sells basic goods such as chicken, eggs, rice and cooking oil at prices 30% lower than the market rates.

To increase food supply stocks, Amirudin said the state would allocate RM50mil for the Selangor Food Warehouse (GMS).

Amirudin: Selangor Resilience Strengthening Package Phase 1 initiative will be implemented as early as May or June.

“In the event of any shortage of food imports, Selangor can activate the GMS, which has stocks such as rice and protein, so that the price of raw goods is not increased too drastically,” he said.

“We will also introduce ‘Kita Selangor’ voucher worth RM100 per month for a six-month period to 50,000 Selangor households.

“This is to manage the effects of inflation and to ensure no one lives in a state of extreme poverty if they lose their jobs or sources of income this year.”

Amirudin said RM30mil was allocated for the voucher initiative.

“The state, through all 12 local authorities (PBTs), will also help school students by providing free breakfast in all 873 schools during this period.

“Every day, one school in each PBT will receive this assistance starting in August,” he said.

He added that each PBT would be given RM1mil and be tasked with ensuring nutritious meals of high quality.

To support farmers, fishermen and similar agricultural smallholders affected by the high price of diesel, Amirudin said RM25mil would be allocated to cover the cost of fuel or agricultural inputs.

“For example, 18,000 rice farmers will be given RM500 for each hectare of land cultivated for one crop season; 2,000 fishermen will be given RM300 assistance per month for a six-month period.

“Similarly, for farmers, breeders and aquaculture entrepreneurs, RM450 will be distributed every month for a six-month period,” he said.

To encourage the use of public transport, Amirudin said a monthly allocation of RM30 would be given to 50,000 Selangor residents for a six-month period to reduce the cost of riding a demand-responsive transit (DRT) van, bus or train.

“RM5.4mil will be allocated for this, marking an increase from the RM5mil allocated under the state budget.

“This brings the total allocation for public transport to RM10.4mil,” said the Sungai Tua assemblyman.

For small-and-medium enterprises, Amirudin said RM6mil would be allocated, through the state cooperative Kohijrah, to cover the costs of operations and goods for cooperatives in the retail and logistics sectors.

“Platform Selangor will also be expanded starting next May so that more local traders can benefit from the ecosystem.”