By Dewi Abdul Rahman
SHAH ALAM, Jan 29 — The state government is enhancing efforts to lift Selangor residents out of hardcore poverty.
State executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication V. Papparaidu said the state has nearly achieved its aim of eradicating hardcore poverty, and he is optimistic the goal can be realised, just as in Pahang and Negeri Sembilan.
“From the 20,000 hardcore poor (households) in Selangor, this number has dropped. I have ordered all departments and government agencies to focus on solving this issue.
“As the current government, there must be a plan or target so the effort bears fruit,” he said when met at the Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs Equipment Assistance presentation ceremony here yesterday.
[caption id="attachment_388348" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
State executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication V. Papparaidu speaks at the presentation ceremony of the Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs Equipment Assistance, or I-Seed, recipients, at Wisma Kohijrah, Shah Alam, on January 28, 2025. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Papparaidu said the effort to eradicate hardcore poverty is a long-term endeavour, and the people must be aware of these efforts so they may change their living status.
“First of all, I want to emphasise education — learning and skills courses for the B40 group; they must level themselves up with knowledge, skills, and such … only then can they improve their (quality of life),” he said.
Papparaidu advised youth to engage in high-impact fields such as aerospace, aviation and artificial intelligence, which are being increasingly present in the job market.
The Banting assemblyman said Selangor has allocated RM16.48 million in vouchers, to be handed out during festivals, to alleviate the B40 group’s burdens.
“It is a large figure, but does it help alleviate the people’s burden? It does. Many are grateful to assemblymen and the state administration, led by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari,” he said.
