All New All MalaysiaWednesday May 20, 2009
Selangor a cyber state by end-2010
By JADE CHAN
BY the end of next year, Selangor will become a full cyber state, with Internet connection available and accessible throughout the state via the broadband wireless system.
According to Selangor state welfare, women affairs, science, technology and innovation committee chairman Rodziah Ismail, the state government wants to create an Internet-savvy community.
“The Selangor government wants the residents to use ICT (information, communications and technology) as a medium, for bill payment, information search and other transactions,” Rodziah said.
“Everyone will be part of a connected community, whether those residing in urban or rural areas. This plan is part of the state’s new economic plan to stimulate the economy,” she said.
“We want to make the Internet the fourth form of utility in Selangor, after water, electricity and telephone. The Internet set-up will be done by four service providers in different areas,” Rodziah said.
She said the state government would be implementing a welfare programme based on a “work-fare” (from welfare to work) concept this year.
“We’re targeting those in the low-income group, particularly the single mothers, the disabled and the school dropouts to encourage them to earn a living of at least RM1,500 a month. We want them to be independent, not rely on welfare aid and have the courage to prove that they can and must work,” she said.
According to Rodziah, the state government will provide the assistance like sending participants for training or providing micro-credit loans for them to start their own business or join the workforce.
She said getting the school dropouts involved in the scheme was to provide them an avenue to learn some skills and to prevent them from getting involved in social problems.
“The programme started in February has been implemented in each assemblyman’s constituency. We will evaluate its progress after six months,” Rodziah said.
She said she would also focus on improving and enhancing the well-being of the disabled.
“We will launch a scheme offering free parking stickers for the disabled in a week. There will be two types of stickers — a permanent sticker for those who have their own cars, and a transferable type for caregivers of the disabled,” she said.
“To qualify for a sticker, an applicant must be registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and go to his or her local council to obtain it,” Rodziah said.
“Each sticker has its own safety code to ensure that it is not abused. We will also work with the local councils to step up enforcement and increase the fines on those who abuse parking spots for the disabled,” she said.
“We have also instructed all local councils in Selangor, especially those in the urban areas like Shah Alam, Klang, Subang Jaya, Selayang and Ampang, to provide two adequately-equipped vans in their municipalities as transport for the disabled by the end of this year,” Rodziah said.
She also said the barrier-free concept would be highlighted to provide the disabled better accessibility to government and private buildings, shopping complexes, religious institutions and recreation centres.
“We have appointed a consultant to audit all buildings, especially those in the urban areas, on their accessibility, and to create awareness for all contractors and building developers for the concept to be implemented in new and existing buildings,” Rodziah said.
“The interesting part is that the disabled who are professionals like town planners and lecturers will be doing the auditing themselves. They will begin their auditing in the Shah Alam city centre in mid-June and move on to other areas. I will assess their reports every two months,” she said.
According to Rodziah, the state government is targeting to have at least 1% disabled and 30% women in the workforce at government agencies by the end of this year.
“We want a higher female representation, especially those at senior management or decision-making levels,” she said.
Rodziah said her plans for women included setting up female community centres at each state constituency and promoting the one-stop crisis centres (OSCCs).
“The community centre will be a place where women can have skills training, conduct their own activities, network and share issues,” she said.
Rodziah said OSCCs had been set up at the Hospital Ampang, Hospital Serdang, Hospital Selayang, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang and Hospital Kajang to offer protection to women who had been abused, raped or experienced domestic violence.
“Women in trouble can go to the OSCCs at these hospitals to seek protection and get help. We want women to be more empowered, be aware their rights, and to know where to go to get protection,” Rodziah said.
The programme was launched in 1997 by the federal government.
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