Narrowing divides Healthcare gets a Hope burns bright Moving virtually through digitalisation dose of incentives this Deepavali forward with SIBS 4 6 10 13 8&9 FREE l NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION l www.selangorjournal.my SELANGOR THE 2021 Selangor Budget, tabled on Oct 30, is a testament to the year that has been. In a show of resilience, RM2.323 billion has been allocated to uphold the state’s vision for the road ahead. Focusing on five strategies, the administration hopes to bring digital transformation to the state; create a peaceful and prosperous ‘ummah’; drive value creation and develop human resource; ensure environmental sustainability, food security and the security of food supply chains; and revitalise the economy and develop industries. MORE ON PAGE3 2 NEWS Selangor Journal l NOVEMBER 2020 Selangor Permaisuri gifts rider with new bike SHAH ALAM - Touched by the same area and is working full time plight of an e-hailing rider who re- as a rider to support her family. cently had her motorcycle stolen, “In this time when we are all the Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku tested with all sorts of challenges, I Permaisuri Norashikin has gifted hope for the people to be humane Nur Athirah Abdul Latiff with a new and to be considerate with each ride. other,” the statement read. The Selangor Royal Office Face- The motorcycle was presented book page announced on Nov 6 to Nur Athirah by Tengku Permai- that Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin suri Norashikin’s aide-de-camp, In- was saddened by Nur Athirah’s pre- spector Noor Hidayu Aziz. dicament when the latter lost her Her Royal Highness hopes that motorbike while making a delivery with this gift, Nur Athirah can con- in the Batu Caves area. tinue working to support her family. According to the post, Nur Athi- The Permaisuri is also praying rah lives with her mother in the for the people to stay safe. RM1b was used for projects: MB SHAH ALAM - About RM1 billion of the projects were the Labohan Dagang ernment had RM3.3 billion in reserves. He was asked to comment on the Selangor government’s reserves which which cost RM700 million, the Semen- Now, the state government has RM2.1 state government’s reserves in a ques- allegedly ‘vanished’, had actually been yih Water Treatment Plant 2 and the billion, but it has not ‘vanished’. It was tion raised by Kota Anggerik assembly- spent on the construction of important construction of Klang’s third bridge, the spent on development projects for the man Mohd Najwan Halimi while debat- infrastructure projects in the state, says Raja Muda Nala Bridge. convenience of the people of Selangor,” ing the 2021 Selangor Budget at the Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari. “When Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim Amirudin told reporters at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly on Nov 3. - He said among the infrastructure was the menteri besar, the state gov- Legislative Assembly on Nov 5. Bernama 2021 Federal Budget Highlights Klang gets new bridge, KUALA LUMPUR - The Federal ■ RM95 million for special mi- ringroad upgrade government has allocated a to- cro-credit fund to empower tal of RM322.5 billion, or 20.6 women entrepreneurs SHAH ALAM - The Federal gov- upgrading the Pulau Indah per cent of the Gross Domes- ■ RM500 million to implement ernment has allocated RM3.8 Ringroad Phase 3, Klang tic Product (GDP), for the 2021 the National Digital Network billion in funds for seven new ■ Construction of the Pan Bor- Budget tabled in Parliament (Jendela) initiative in 2021 infrastructure projects, of neo Highway Sabah from on Nov 6 by Finance Minister ■ Full stamp duty exemption which two are located in Klang, Serusop to Pituru Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul for deeds of transfer and says Finance Minister Tengku ■ Construction of the Camer- Aziz. nually loan agreement for first Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Ab- on Highlands Bypass Road, The following are some of ■ Individual income tax relief house purchase worth up to dul Aziz when tabling the 2021 Pahang, with emphasis on the highlights of the budget, of up to RM3,000 on Private RM500,000 Budget. preserving the environment themed ‘Stand United, We Shall Retirement Scheme contri- ■ RM1 billion allocated for “The Federal government Prevail’ (Teguh Kita, Menang butions extended until year high-tech and value-added will be implementing trans- Tengku Zafrul said a total of Bersama), which is anchored on of assessment 2025 investment incentive pack- portation infrastructures to in- RM15 billion has been allocated three main thrusts, namely the ■ Employees’ minimum EPF ages crease people’s ease of mobili- to execute transportation infra- people’s wellbeing, business contribution is reduced to ■ High-tech fund totalling ty,” he said. structure projects nationwide. continuity and economic resil- 9 per cent starting January RM500 million provided by New projects at a total value “In 2021, RM15 billion will ience. 2021 Bank Negara Malaysia to of RM3.8 billion will also be im- be allocated to fund the Pan ■ Targeted EPF Account 1 with- support companies in inno- plemented. They are as follows: Borneo Highway, Gemas-Johor ■ The Covid-19 Fund ceiling to drawal facility of RM500 per vative sector Bahru Electrified Double-Track- be raised from RM20 billion month, up to RM6,000 for 12 ■ Targeted recovery assistance ■ Phase 2 of the Klang Third ing Project and the Klang Val- to RM65 billion to fund the months facility worth RM2 billion un- Bridge Project, also known ley Double Tracking Project Kita Prihatin supplementary ■ EPF Account 2 withdrawal for der BNM to be introduced as Jambatan Ke-3 Klang Phase One. assistance package purchase of life insurance through loans from banking ■ Resuming works at the Cen- “In addition, several key ■ RM1 billion to curb the third and takaful coverage prod- institutions tral Spine Road with the new projects will be continued wave of Covid-19 ucts and for critical illnesses ■ RM100 million from the Pri- alignments from Kelantan such as the Rapid Transit Sys- ■ Tax relief for personal, ■ RM28 billion for subsidies, hatin sukuk subscription will to Pahang tem Link from Johor Bahru to spouse and children’s med- assistance and incentives be allocated for research on ■ Upgrading works on the Woodlands, Singapore and ical care expenses for seri- ■ Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat BPR infectious diseases, including bridge crossing Sungai Ma- MRT3 in Klang Valley,” he said. ous illness to be increased to to benefit 8.1 million people vaccine development, stud- rang, Terengganu The projects are listed under RM8,000 from RM6,000 with an allocation of RM6.5 ies on treatments and diag- ■ Upgrading works on Jalan the measures for the transport ■ Personal income tax reduced billion nostics Persekutuan connecting infrastructure development by one percentage point ■ RM3.7 billion allocation un- ■ RM3 billion for high-skilled Gerik in Perak with Kulim in concerning the development for those earning between der Janakerja, aimed at cre- companies such as oil and Kedah agenda under the 12th Malay- RM50,001 and RM70,000 an- ating 500,000 new jobs gas and aerospace. ■ To continue building and sia Plan. Selangor Journal l NOVEMBER 2020 BUDGET 3 Shaping A New Reality: Upholding Economic Dignity, the Foundation for the People’s Resilience REPORTERS Ida Nadirah Ibrahim, Alang Bendahara, Sherilyn Pang, Afix Redzuan, Nazli Ibrahim, Khairul Azran Hussin, Nadiah Zamlus, Amin Ridzuan Ishak, Norrasyidah Arshad, Zareef Muzammil, Aliff Fikri PHOTOGRAPHERS Asri Sapfie, Raheemie Arifin, Hafiz Othman & Fikri Yusof Selangor tables RM2.32b for 2021 THE Selangor government has allocated a total year’s budget. of RM2.323 billion for the Belanjawan Selangor “The state government has successfully re- 2021 (2021 Selangor Budget), to be dispersed duced the deficit in the last three budgets to a to the people through five strategies. reasonable amount through prudent spend- The strategies are to propel Selangor to- ing efforts, and efficient work culture and in- wards its smart state vision via a digitalisation tegrity, which is in line with the state adminis- agenda; to create a peaceful Selangor and a tration’s fiscal policy. prosperous ‘ummah’; to drive value creation “The deficit is due to significant and sub- and develop human resource; to ensure en- stantive allocations to fulfil the need for sus- vironmental sustainability, food security and tainable development,” he said when tabling the security of food supply chains; and to re- the budget, themed ‘Shaping a New Reality: vitalise the economy and develop industries. Upholding Economic Dignity, the Foundation Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari for the People’s Resilience’, at the Selangor said 53 per cent of the budget or RM1.22 bil- Legislative Assembly, here on Oct 30. lion has been allocated for operating expen- Amirudin said for 2021, the projected reve- diture, while development expenditure has nue is RM2.2 billion comprising land revenue been allocated RM1.103 billion or 47 per cent at RM1.03 billion or 46.98 per cent, property of the total amount. tax at RM545.84 million (24.81 per cent) and Of the total amount allocated to operat- allocation from the Federal government at ing expenditure, RM439.96 million will be RM206.85 million (9.4 per cent). prioritised for emoluments; RM520.43 mil- “Despite facing the current economic chal- lion for services and supplies; RM4.8 mil- lenges, the state government maintains its lion for asset purchases; RM203.51 million strong and resilient financial momentum for grants and fixed payments; and RM51.3 based on analysis as well as comprehensive million for miscellaneous expenses. forecasts that take into account the improve- The budget also sees an estimated defi- ments and benefits that are brought to the cit of RM123 million, which is RM10 million people, the business community, and the less than the RM133 million deficit in last state’s economic growth,” he said.