NST: Selangor govt's income not affected by long wait for state polls - MB
PORT KLANG: Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has assured that the state's income would not be affected by the long wait for the state election.
He said the state government, through the State Government Meeting Council (MMKN), had approved more than 400 working papers to ensure steady income.
"We've recently held a special MMKN meeting where we have approved 450 working papers, because based on past experience, the approval for these papers were delayed because it was not appropriate to approve them (after the dissolution of the state assembly).
"If (state elections) are held in August, we still have a long way to go to organise, plan, choose and formulate a strategy," he told a press conference after attending the Central Living Quarters (CLQ) ground-breaking ceremony at Bandar Sultan Suleiman here, today.
Also present were Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas and state secretary Datuk Haris Kasim.
Amirudin explained that it was not advisable for a caretaker government to make any approvals, and said they would be very careful with matters pertaining to this issue.
"Therefore (this issue) impacted our income in 2018, when we only gained RM1.8 billion… this was a stark difference from when we would achieve an income of RM2.3 billion, or RM2.4 billion." he said, adding that Selangor recorded RM3.4 billion in reserves as of April this year.
Meanwhile, Amiruddin said each CLQ would be equipped with three bedrooms, one bathroom and a dining area, to be rented at an estimated monthly fee of RM350 to ensure the welfare of migrant workers.
"It is up to them to set the rental price, but usually we will deal with the hiring company as they hold the workers' permits. Additionally, the application for foreign workers is also made by the company itself.
"It would also be easier for companies to monitor their workers if they are absent, ill, or have problems, that way, they would know where their workers are staying," he added.
Earlier in his speech, Amirudin reminded appointed contractors to carry out CLQ construction work according to the set schedule and specifications.
He said he hoped the authorities would periodically monitor to ensure the progress and quality of the project, inspired by the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.
"Insya-Allah (God willing), each task entrusted can be completed perfectly if it is done with a sense of responsibility and high integrity." he added.
