HULU LANGAT, April 2 — Selangor is formulating strategies including new initiatives to mitigate pressure from fuel price and living cost hikes due to the West Asia conflict, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said the measures will be announced in two or three weeks after considering experts’ views and projections tabled at yesterday’s State Executive Council roundtable.
“We are forming and making plans to face global crises that could affect energy prices and the costs of living, goods, and each citizen’s needs.
“I’m not trying to scare anyone, but as a proactive government, we are thinking about how to overcome, manage and prepare new programmes,” he said in a speech after officiating an MOU signing and key handover ceremony for Residensi Selangorku Oleander here today.
Amirudin added that among the state government’s measures introduced in the face of economic uncertainties post-COVID-19 that have become the main solution to availing affordable homes for the people are the Rumah Idaman MBI and Rumah Selangorku Harapan initiatives.
He explained that the situation may be different than during the pandemic, but the effects could be similar in terms of economic pressures on the people and industry.
Amirudin also said Selangor is confident it can face these challenges thanks to its past experiences in managing crises including the pandemic, economic uncertainties, and disasters.
“I mentioned this today because our experience building Idaman and Harapan homes started with the (COVID-19) crisis. (We) started with something uncertain and we eventually identified a housing construction formula that provides more comfortable, dignified housing, where developers are not burdened either.
“In the past five years, the state government has recorded revenue surpluses beyond targets, including more than RM3 billion last year. Part of this surplus has been set aside to prepare for challenging situations like this one,” Amirudin added.
He said this approach not just gives focus to needy groups, but ensures the trade, business and agriculture sectors continue to operate even when faced with diesel cost hikes.
Yesterday, the menteri besar said the state government would set up a special task force to prepare Selangor for economic uncertainties stemming from the West Asia conflict.
Amirudin said this would be the start of a comprehensive state-level action framework to support Putrajaya’s efforts in managing the impact of the global crisis.
