SELANGOR Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari is targeting all those categorised as “miskin mutlak” (absolute poor) and registered under the eKasih programme in Selangor to no longer fall under that category by next month (July 2024).

“The number of recipients was 861 as of February 2024, from last year’s list of some 7,000 recipients. However, after cross-checking with various agencies, the actual number of recipients is less than 250 persons,” he said.

“We will continue assisting these people through various aid and programmes under the Selangor government and government agencies such as the Welfare Department and Lembaga Zakat.

“One such programme is Bingkas Selangor, which offers RM300 in monthly aid to buy groceries at designated shops.”

Amirudin said the aim is to have all those in Selangor who are classified as “miskin mutlak” or “miskin tegar” (hardcore poor) and registered under eKasih to be removed from that list by next month (July 2024).

“However, this list will also be cross-referenced with those registered under Padu (Central Database Hub system) to ensure no one is left behind. This is to ensure that the on-ground situation matches the information in the database.

“Sepang was the first to have almost 100% in its district removed from the absolute poor list,” he said, adding that most of the poor in Selangor are those termed urban poor.

Amirudin, who is Sungai Tua assemblyman, was speaking to reporters after launching the “PLATS Biaya” logo at the Selangor State Secretariat building in Shah Alam.

“PLATS Biaya” is a special financing scheme offered by Yayasan Hijrah Selangor for traders who have undergone an entrepreneur training programme.

The scheme offers a RM3,000 loan that is to be paid back in instalments within a year.

It also offers participants coverage under the Social Security Organisation (Socso) and Takaful contribution by the Yayasan.

There are 120 participants presently undergoing the first edition of “PLATS Biaya”; they are expected to complete the programme by July.

Also present at the launch were Selangor youth, sports and entrepreneurship committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi, the Yayasan’s chief executive officer Datuk Mearia Hamzah, Mentri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI) chief executive officer Saipolyazan M Yusop and MBI Selangor Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Communications head Ahmad Azri Zainal Nor.