By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, Aug 4 — Two hundred people today received RM1,000 each for advances to purchase motorcycles, said state executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication V. Papparaidu.
He said the RM200,000 allocation under the BikeCare-1000 programme aims to alleviate the burden on the low-income group so breadwinners may purchase motorcycles.
“The state government helps with a RM1,000 advance. Recipients just need to bear the remaining cost of the motorcycles. It is hoped this initiative can, to some extent, alleviate their financial burden.
“Having low income is among the criteria for recipients. We want to help them so they may earn a living and ensure their families’ economic stability,” he said when met after the handover of motorcycles to recipients at the State Secretariat here today.
Papparaidu, who is also Banting assemblyman, said his office plans to extend this programme so more people can benefit from it.
“We will meet with the Selangor Economic Planning Unit to discuss this matter, and develop more aid programmes related to devices like laptops for university students,” he said.
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Maszura Mohamad, 42, a BikeCare-1000 programme recipient, speaks to the media at the State Secretariat building, Shah Alam, on August 4, 2024. — Picture by ZULFADHLI ZAKI/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Maszura Mohamad, 42, a clerk in Puchong, said she will use her brand new motorcycle to commute to work.
“Before this, I borrowed my husband’s motorcycle, but it was involved in a crash recently, so I have to drive to work, but driving a car comes with high costs and is burdensome.”
She said the new motorcycle comes at the right time as it will reduce her financial burden, allowing her more spending money for her three schoolgoing children.
Lorry driver Ng Chee Hwo, 40, said he now no longer has to ask others to send him to work in Klang.
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P. Verakumar, 42, a BikeCare-1000 programme recipient, speaks to the media at the State Secretariat building, Shah Alam, on August 4, 2024. — Picture by ZULFADHLI ZAKI/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“I used to have to ask family or friends to send me to work as I do not have a vehicle. Thank you, Selangor government, for this aid,” he said.
P. Verakumar, 42, said he was delighted as he did not expect the application he sent two months ago to be approved and lead to him owning a motorcycle.
“I need this motorcycle to commute to work and send my children to school. I did not have a bike before as deposits were quite high,” he said.
In 2022, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari introduced the BikeCare-1000 programme to alleviate gig workers’ financial burdens during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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State executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication V. Papparaidu poses with recipients during the BikeCare-1000 programme motorcycle handover ceremony, at the State Secretariat building, Shah Alam, on August 4, 2024. — Picture by ZULFADHLI ZAKI/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
