THE Selangor government has instructed the Social Welfare Department (SWD) to prepare flood aid for 10,000 potential victims as the monsoon season approaches.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said the state was preparing aid for twice the number of potential victims expected in 2021, as the aid was not sufficient then.

“I have instructed the SWD to increase … the number of flood aid recipients this year,” he told a special press conference at the Selangor Secretariat Building today.

Amirudin said he instructed the Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department, the army and local government authorities to prepare for the floods.

“We also instruct all local authorities, the Irrigation and Drainage Department, Public Works Department and others to clean retention ponds, drains and canals, especially in areas at high risk of flooding.

“This is to ensure drainage systems function optimally,” he said, adding that a media centre would also be set up.

Amirudin also said the monthly payment for 760 imams in the state has been increased from RM1,300 to RM1,500 starting this month.

Allowances for other mosque personnel have been increased by RM50, meaning that effective this month, nazir will receive RM300, bilal will receive RM340 and siak will receive RM290, he said.

He said the state government would disburse RM1,000 each to 500 agro-entrepreneurs as incentive for them to increase production.

“The incentive will be in cash of RM500, while the balance will be given via input of plants, equipment and raw materials,” he said, adding that this would be done with the cooperation of Agro Bank Selangor and Koperasi Kohijrah Warga Hijrah Selangor Bhd.

The state government, he said, was granting assessment tax exemptions to owners of 426,656 low-cost and village houses in Selangor for a second term until December 31, which would cost the state government more than RM29 million. – Bernama, October 4, 2023.