If you know someone who needs welfare...

Aid list
> A general monthly allowance of RM80 per person, up to a maximum of RM350 per family, subject to a household income of below RM720 for Peninsular Malaysia, RM830 for Sarawak and RM960 for Sabah.
> RM300 a month for poor senior citizens aged above 60, subject to a household income of below RM720 for Peninsular Malaysia, RM830 for Sarawak and RM960 for Sabah.
> RM100 a month per child for families earning below RM720 in Peninsular Malaysia, RM830 in Sarawak and RM960 in Sabah. This aid is subject to a maximum of RM450 per family.
> RM300 supplementary work allowance a month for a disabled person who is working and earning below RM1,200 a month.
> RM300 a month for a non-working caregiver who looks after a debilitated/bedridden person at home. This is provided the family income is less than RM3,000 a month.
> From January this year, RM150 a month will also be given to a disabled person who is unemployed despite efforts to find a job.

To apply for welfare aid and the JKSM card, go to your nearest Social Welfare office or call the Ministry’s Talian Nur hotline at 15999.

Why should MPSJ exist?

The purpose...
  1. To regulate development throughout the area (residential, commercial, industrial, agriculture, etc)
  2. To provide/maintain common infrastructure for all development (roads, drains, street lights, parking, traffic management, landscape, etc)
  3. To provide/maintain basic recreation (fields, parks, community halls, library? - this list is quite subjective as to how far council should go in providing, and how much we should rely on private sources)
  4. To maintain a decent level of hygiene
  5. To regulate business activity (including providing infrastucture such as modern wet markets)
  6. Waste Management / To collect rubbish (domestic waste only, not industrial waste)
Other non-core activities could include (subject to taxpayer wanting to foot the bill)
  1. Welfare
  2. Cultural & Sports
  3. Public Transport
  4. Security Services - Patroling, etc

MPSJ's Subsidized Services / Welfare Benefits

Business Opportunities for the needy
  1. Wet Market (for Traders)
  2. Food Courts
  3. Pasar Ramadan
  4. Roadside Traders
The above licences/permit/rent is very very low compared to the market rates. No way the beneficiaries of the above can conduct similar scale business on private property at the rates they are paying. Thus, with this opportunity, comes conditions, which they must accept, such as minimun standard of service, owner operates (no renting or subleting licence, permits for a quick buck), etc

The beneficiaries of this licences/permits should realise that its not a "right", but a privalage given to them by the local council, which they stand to lose, if they don't follow the rules.


Welfare for the needy
  1. Council homes
  2. Rent subsidy

For the public at large
  1. Community Halls
  2. Sports facilities
  3. Library
The perception of quite a lot of people is that these facilities are owed to them by the government. Thus, rental should be very minimal, or in fact not be charged. And sometimes, it is right, some things should be subsidized, for its indirect effect works for the greater good of the community.

But the bottom line is that the money for this facilities need to come from somewhere. Either the council operates the facilities at cost, passing on all incurred cost as fees - i.e. Charge hall rentals and badminton court rentals at what it actually cost the council to build and operate. Or have society at large subsidize it. Which means part of the revenues of the council (basically assessment rate, licence & summons) goes towards funding these facilities.

There is no right or wrong answer here, the way I see it. It is up to society to decide how we want our council to spend our money. Budgets and financial statements of the council are available for public viewing (yes, they're not secret).

Issue 002: Enforcement, to ensure fair collection of licensing revenues for council

Issue Type: Problem to Solve

Background:

Ultimate problem:
1. loss of revenue to MPSJ
2. Business not being conducted within MPSJ regulations, often times causing inconvinience to others

- Lots of businesses (30-50%?) do not renew their business licence/signboard licence
- Restaurants who do not licence their outdoor tables
- advertising - billboards, banners, buntings, etc



Issue 001: Enforcement, to maintain a decent level of hygiene

Issue Type: Problem to Solve / Proposal for Improvement

Background:

restaurants/eateries
- Restaurants dirty,
- handle food badly
- no grease trap
- no proper disposal of rubbish
- wash plates, dishes by the drain
- personal hygiene by workers

others
- no proper disposal of rubbish
- littering

Grass cutting issues

One of the somewhat regular complaints is damage to car/property due to grass cutting activities by Alam Flora (in MPSJ areas). If you have been a victim to this, you can come forward to seek compensation. Refer to the letter below..

Copyright © 2010 Rajiv for Malaysia All rights reserved.