SHAH ALAM, April 29 — Selangor’s poverty eradication programme is among the main contributors to the state’s improved Happiness Index score, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said the declining relative poverty rate directly affects quality of life, which is the foundation of happiness.
According to him, in three to four months, the relative poverty rate in Selangor has been lowered to a single digit around 8 to 9 per cent, compared with 13 to 14 per cent previously.
“We executed programmes to add job opportunities, followed by supporting initiatives like Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selangor (BINGKAS). This year, we improved the programme to reduce pressure on poorer groups.
“In the medium term, the state government has expedited housing developments as among the important components of community well-being. As many as 174,000 housing units have been approved, with around 40,000 units being or to be developed, including under the state government’s subsidiaries,” he said.
Amirudin was responding to Sungai Ramal assemblyman Mohd Shafie Ngah’s question about the state government’s short-, medium- and long-term plans to improve Selangor’s Happiness Index score, during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.
He added that several Selangor cities, including Ampang, Petaling Jaya, and Klang, have been recognised by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) in its 20 Happiest Malaysian Cities list.
“For the long-term agenda, priority is given to state developments based on the concept of liveability, in line with aspirations of the First Selangor Plan (RS-1).
“When we tabled the RS-1, we not only spoke about prosperity and high incomes, but also liveability. Liveability is the real response to state residents’ happiness,” Amirudin said.
