By Nadiah Zamlus
SHAH ALAM, Feb 18 — With a strong focus on enhancing the welfare of its people, the 2025 Selangor Budget, announced on November 15 last year, highlights initiatives to strengthen the economic, social, and technological sectors.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced a RM3 billion budget allocation to manage and continue the state's development throughout this year. Of this, RM1.7 billion is allocated for operational expenditures, while RM1.3 billion will be directed towards development projects.
The focus on health and welfare programs for the elderly remains a priority, aligning with the commitment to enhance the social protection system, which encompasses welfare, education, and economic empowerment for target groups as the foundation of the people’s well-being.
Reporter Nadiah Zamlus highlighted the main initiatives in the budget, themed ‘A Dynamic Selangor: An Ideal Quest for a Civil Malaysia’.
Addressing strata issue
The state government has set aside RM10 million for the initial Strata Settlement Fund (SSF), addressing concerns that homeownership issues are negatively affecting the value of properties and assets.
An estimated RM100 million is needed over the next 10 years to resolve the issues surrounding the entire strata scheme identified across Selangor.
The Selangor Action Committee for Resolving Buildings without Strata Titles, which includes the Selangor Land and Mines Office, the Selangor Housing and Property Board, the State Economic Planning Unit, PlanMalaysia@Selangor, district offices, and the local authorities, is working to address the untitled strata buildings issue statewide.
Free ambulances at four local authorities
To address the challenges faced by those in need of emergency delivery services, the state has rolled out the ‘Selangor Ambulance Kita’ service. The service is initially free in four local authorities, with plans to expand to other areas.
In collaboration with existing service providers like the Red Crescent Society and St John Ambulance Malaysia, the initiative began this year, offering public emergency services free of charge.
This initiative is one of the main efforts outlined in the Five-Year Resolutions ahead of the 2023 state elections, with RM1 million allocated from the Selangor Bangkit Fund.
Incubator centre (RM5 million)
With an allocation of RM5 million, the incubator centre offers educational programmes and targeted certifications in technology.
The centre is operated by the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC) under the Selangor International Innovation Centre of Excellence.
The development highlights the state's commitment to paving the way for entry into the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The state government is also working alongside various AI service providers to enhance the adoption and reach of AI throughout Selangor.
Pickleball in Sukma 2026
As part of efforts to boost tourism for Visit Selangor Year 2025, the state government will host the Selangor Pickleball Festival, which will showcase the Selangor International Pickleball Open Championship.
The event will also feature competitions across schools and districts, to engage young people and nurture fresh talent.
To promote pickleball, the local authorities will transform some outdoor badminton courts in public parks into pickleball courts, ensuring that badminton is concentrated in indoor facilities.
Selangor aims to become the first state to introduce pickleball at the Malaysian Games (Sukma), with the 2026 Sukma Games as its platform. To support this, RM1 million has been allocated.
20,000 people to receive RM1,000 death benefit assistance
In June, an estimated 20,000 individuals will receive RM1,000 each as part of the death benefit initiative, with RM20 million set aside for the programme. The aid is targeted at individuals aged 50 and above, as well as disabled persons.
On November 23, state executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said the state government is collaborating with the National Registration Department to verify the heirs of Khairat Darul Ehsan scheme recipients.
This effort aims to ensure that the RM1,000 aid reaches the legitimate beneficiaries of the recipients.
Coffee Festival (RM1 million)
For the first time this year, the Coffee Festival, with a RM1 million allocation, will offer an exciting opportunity for baristas to showcase their skills and explore the growing coffee industry.
The festival will serve as a platform for baristas to develop their skills and explore the coffee industry, while also hosting the Asean Barista Championships, where they can compete with leading coffee experts from across Southeast Asia.
Repair of religious schools (RM4.5 million)
RM4.5 million allocation has been set aside to repair religious schools, ensuring the safety and comfort of students.
The funds will be used to replace essential facilities, including ageing water pipes and damaged electrical wiring.
Education funding has been increased by RM2 million, rising from RM69.35 million last year to RM79.95 million this year.
Three months of free dialysis
The Iltizam Selangor Sihat (ISS) programme provides free basic treatment assistance, including protection benefits for death and critical illness.
Despite a reduction in its allocation from RM35 million to RM20 million, the programme now includes new benefits, like dialysis treatment.
Treatment benefits at ISS hospitals cover free dialysis for up to three months with a RM10,000 limit, ensuring that individuals with chronic kidney disease have access to life-saving dialysis treatment.
Helping student dropouts (RM1 million)
To further support education, the Selangor People's Tuition Programme (PTRS), which has proven effective in enhancing secondary school students' performance, is being expanded to primary schools with RM1 million in funding.
It will focus on helping primary school students in mastering the foundation skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic (3M) through the Literacy and Numeracy programme.
This effort to address the educational setbacks caused by the pandemic, which contributed to an increase in student dropouts.
Senior citizen activity centres
This year, two Senior Citizen Activity Centres (Pawe) will be established in Kuala Langat and Hulu Selangor, designed for healthy and independent senior citizens who can manage themselves.
The Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry, in collaboration with government agencies and non-governmental organisations, plays an important role in providing social assistance and development services.
A RM400,000 budget has been allocated by Selangor in 2025 to improve facilities and purchase assets for the Pawe centres in Ampang, Paya Jaras, Setia Alam, and Seri Kembangan.
AI White Paper, increased quality of government services
During this year’s State Legislative Assembly, the session included discussions on efforts to improve government service efficiency, as well as enhance the capacity to audit technology and evaluate AI methods.
Additionally, talks with Nvidia, a global leader in technology and semiconductors, focused on developing Sovereign AI — artificial intelligence that is exclusively owned and controlled by the state.
The AI white paper outlines the state government's plan to ensure that Selangor stays ahead of technological trends while also evaluating the overall value and impact of AI.
Expedite approval period
Through Speed Selangor, the approval period for planning permission will be reduced from 3.5 months to just 14 days. This policy, set to begin in April, aligns with the state government’s agenda to streamline business processes.
All 12 local authorities have been ordered to enhance their processes and procedures. For fast-track planning permission applications, each local authority will standardise its procedures, ensuring approval within seven days.
It focuses on emerging industries like artificial intelligence and its supporting sectors, including semiconductors and electronics.
Additionally, Speed Selangor aims to support the development of industrial parks, affordable housing, as well as sectors like aerospace and high-tech manufacturing.
Helping Indian students from low-income families
Indian students pursuing their studies in both public and private higher education institutions are supported through the B40 Indian Students Fees Assistance programme.
The programme offers one-time financial assistance of up to RM5,000 for students pursuing a bachelor's degree and up to RM3,000 for those enrolled in diploma courses, specifically aimed at students from low-income families.
Two main programmes will continue under the Indian Community Education Development initiative in 2025: the School Bus Fare Subsidy programme and the B40 Indian Students Fees Assistance programme, with an estimated allocation of RM1.185 million.
The School Bus Fare Subsidy programme is aimed at Tamil vernacular school students from families with a monthly household income of RM2,000 or less, providing each student with annual financial assistance of RM300.
Entertainment duty exemption
Local artists will receive a full exemption from entertainment duty in celebration of Visit Selangor Year 2025. Meanwhile, the entertainment duty for international artists will be reduced from 25 per cent to 10 per cent, recognising their contribution to enhancing the creative and music industries in Selangor.
A new policy for ticketed exhibitions has been introduced, reducing the entertainment duty from 25 per cent to 15 per cent, effective this year. These changes are expected to have a financial impact of RM13.17 million.
The state is confident that the savings for consumers will benefit small and medium-sized entrepreneurs involved in performances and concerts, while also fostering the growth of young talent.
RS-2
The First Selangor Plan (RS-1), which serves as a guide for the state's direction and development from 2021 to 2025, is continued with RS-2.
RS-2, covering the period from 2026 to 2030, aims to sustain Selangor's position as the country’s economic leader. It will oversee the progress of programmes, projects, and initiatives (PPIs), as well as track the 20 drivers of change and the achievement of 16 macro indicators outlined in the RS-1 Mid-Term Review.
A total of RM3.5 million has been allocated for the preparation of the RS-2 document involving studies, engagement sessions, workshops, promotions and documentation.
An allocation of RM3.5 million has been set aside for the development of the RS-2 document, covering research, engagement sessions, workshops, promotions, and documentation.
