SERI SETIA POLLS | As part of his campaign targeting women voters in Seri Setia, Pakatan Harapan candidate Halimey Abu Bakar today pledged to increase the number of beneficiaries of the state government’s programmes, including the Kasih Ibu Smart Selangor (Kiss) scheme.
Speaking at his daily press conference at Harapan’s main operation centre in Kelana Jaya this morning, Halimey said women make up approximately 50 percent of 53,492 registered voters in Seri Setia.
“From the numbers (of women voters), around 30 percent have applied for the Kiss card and we aim to increase the number of recipients to about 40 percent of total female voters,” he said, adding the rest were ineligible.
Those eligible for this scheme are mothers from households earning less than RM2,000 a month.
"Many of the applicants are from urban poor households in Lembah Subang, Desa Mentari and Kampung Lindungan," he said citing several polling districts in Seri Setia where there is a high percentage of voters living in low-cost People’s Housing Projects (PPR).
According to the Election Commission, there are 26,972 registered female voters in Seri Setia, and Halimey estimated that some 8,000 women from low-income households have received the Kiss card, which entitles them to RM200 worth of groceries monthly from selected stores throughout the state.
Halimey said he believes that the Kiss monthly assistance is more beneficial than 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) scheme introduced in 2012 by the previous BN administration.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government would be gradually lowering the amount of BR1M payouts before it is scrapped altogether.
BR1M was rebranded as the Cost of Living Aid (BSH) initiative when Harapan took over Putrajaya after May 9.
Halimey also said he has drafted plans for various women empowerment programmes in Seri Setia, should he be elected for the seat ahead of PAS’ candidate Dr Halimah Mohd Ali.
“These programmes include training on how to make frozen food, sewing classes, as well as training on how to perform traditional massage, salon and spa treatments.
“The activities will be carried out together with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, the Selangor exco for women, as well as other related agencies,” he said
Halimey also said that he has plans to set up a single mothers association for women who require assistance to rebuild their lives.
He added that women who found themselves in trouble are also welcome to seek help at his service centre, where he will connect them with the relevant agencies.
The Sept 8 by-election was brought about by the passing of incumbent Shaharuddin Badaruddin on Aug 2.
Shaharuddin won the seat in GE14 against BN candidate Yusoff M Haniff; Mohd Ghazali Daud of PAS and independent candidate S Vigneswaran. - Mkini
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