Pakatan tackling cost of living in Semenyih, says Muhyiddin
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PAKATAN Harapan is tackling the cost of living in Semenyih with the promise to review cash aid and other financial assistance, a number of leaders said at the campaign trail yesterday.
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition will focus on bread-and-butter issues in the area as they are main concern of voters there.
Extending the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) aid to youth is among the issues raised at the cabinet, the home minister said, after the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) was disbanded.
“Maybe the allocation for it would not be billions but it could ensure our youth can support themselves,” he said at a ceramah in Kg Rinching Hilir, Semenyih, last night.
Also present were PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, Bersatu information chief Radzi Jidin and the PH candidate Mohamad Aiman Zainali.
“Many people say they leave it to the government to solve issues regarding 1MDB and the country’s debt but wonder how the government can solve their problems,” he said.
“That is why I am explaining the initiatives we have started and will continue with additional steps to ensure the cost-of-living issues are solved.”
Azmin, who is also economic affairs minister, highlighted how Selangor tackled the issue of aid for lower-income groups when he was menteri besar.
He cited examples of the state helping villagers turned away from banks to finance their businesses.
Selangor introduced the “Skim Hijrah” which provided microfinancing of between RM1,000 and RM5,000 to the would-be entrepreneurs. The scheme helped 55,000 small businesses.
“Some got loans between RM30,000 and RM50,000. We gave them a kick start to ensure financial stability for their families,” he said.
Another scheme benefited B40 mothers earning less than RM2,500 to buy basic household goods.
“Kasih Ibu Smart Selangor (KISS) ensured mothers were given a KISS card and they could use it to buy basic needs.”
The state also offered an insurance scheme for the B40 group, allowing them access to 1,000 private hospitals and clinics. The scheme is now taken to the national level by Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, he said. – February 19, 2019.