SHAH ALAM, Sept 12 — Selangor is committed to intensifying hardcore poverty eradication efforts through state welfare policies, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He explained that checks are done every six months to identify the hardcore poor so they may receive aid under Ilitzam Selangor Penyayang, Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera (Bingkas), and the Selangor Zakat Board (LZS).
“As State Development Department chairman, in addition to monitoring abandoned projects, we are also looking at the number of hardcore poor and poor individuals.
“Since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement in Budget 2024 to eradicate and end hardcore poverty, Selangor has performed checks every six months.
“If we identify an (eligible) individual, we immediately channel zakat and aid from state welfare programmes like Bingkas to put them above the hardcore poverty line,” Amirudin said in his speech at the indent job offer letter handover ceremony for prime ministerial allocations at the menteri besar’s official residence here today.
He added that the state administration is focusing on members of the poor group, of which there are 15,000 to 17,000 in Selangor.
“From this number, the state is aiming for 6,000 to 7,000 individuals to exit poverty soon.
“Aid is not only given via welfare programmes, but also through job opportunities, as the Selangor government’s concept is ‘no one left behind’,” Amirudin said.
