Friday June 13, 2008

Free rice for the poor

By WANI MUTHIAH

THE Selangor Government will distribute rice to the poor as part of its measures to help ease the financial burden of low-income families.

According to state tourism, consumer affairs and environment committee chairman Elizabeth Wong, the budget to give free rice was approved by the state executive council two weeks ago.

Wong said even that measure would not be sufficient to alleviate the suffering of the lower-income families hit by the recent fuel price increase and the accompanying spiral price hike of essential goods.

She told reporters this when visiting the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery in Klang on Tuesday.

Wong said the most practical and effective thing to do under the current economic circumstances would be for the relevant parties to increase the production of essential goods.

Wong said the more essential and viable measures would obviously be the reduction of fuel price and lowering the cost of manufacturing and transportation.

On another matter, Wong said the state government was keen to develop and promote the royal town of Klang as a tourist destination given its rich legacy and history.

She said among the viable measures was attracting local and foreign tourists to visit the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery, which was one of the three finalists in the International Real Estate Federation’s (FIABCI) recent Prix d’Excellence Award Ceremony.

Wong was taken around the premises and briefed on the exhibits by gallery manager Munasor Aliyasak.