State polls: Cost of living prioritised in Perikatan's Selangor manifesto

Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Selangor households with a combined income of below RM15,000 will get 20 cubic metres of free water if Perikatan Nasional wins the state election on Aug 12.

This was among the initiatives announced by Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when unveiling the coalition's manifesto with the theme, 'Selangor Baharu, Kita Bangkit.'

The manifesto contains seven main thrusts, 25 approaches and 112 offers.

It is estimated to offer packages and initiatives for Selangor residents worth more than RM2bil to address the rising cost of living faced by the people.

Among the initiatives announced is the Bantuan Prihatin Keluarga Selangor, with an allocation of RM312mil to provide RM400 cash aid monthly to 65,000 families.

The Bersatu president also announced a yearly allocation of RM200mil to address burst pipes and a replacement programme to change old water pipes in 100 hotspots in the state.

"We will prepare funds worth RM10mil as an incentive to non-government organisations (NGOs) to implement conservation and preservation programmes," he said when launching the manifesto at a hotel at Shah Alam on Friday (Aug 4) night.

Muhyiddin said the coalition would allocate RM10mil under Selangor Harmoni for non-governmental organisations (NGO) to implement programmes that can foster harmony among the state's diverse communities.

"The coalition is committed to defend the Federal Constitution and the state constitution as well as upholding Islam as the Federal religion.

"We are also committed to protect individuals' right to practise any faith without discriminating against any groups.

"A special state government agency will be formed to empower efforts to improve the socio-economic status of minority communities especially Indian and Orang Asli communities with an allocation of RM50mil," he said.

Perikatan also pledged to allocate a special RM100mil fund for young agricultural entrepreneurs to assist in food production and automation as well as a RM150mil allocation to form a Mega Food Hub through the Selangor Food Fund.

Muhyiddin also announced plans to turn Selangor into a prestigious tourism spot with an allocation of RM200mil.

The coalition also pledged to provide free parking under local councils in northern parts of Selangor and to exempt licence fees for hawkers and traders.

Muhyiddin also highlighted women as the main pillar of society and pledged to allocate RM50mil for government agencies to develop childcare centres at the workplace.

"A new initiative will be introduced, Wanita Waja, to provide RM500 monthly for three months, counselling services as well as skills and mentoring programmes for divorced or widowed women who need support," he said.

The manifesto also pledged to provide RM5,000 funds to all parent teacher associations per year in the schools registered under the state including Chinese and Indian vernacular schools with the allocation of RM5mil.