Wednesday, June 18, 2008

MB Khalid: Balkis still registered - The Sun

SHAH ALAM (June 18, 2008): By Llew-Ann Phang

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim says the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has not approved the dissolution of the Wives of Selangor MPs and Assemblymen Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis).

"The state government received a letter from the ROS about a week ago confirming the status of Balkis," he told reporters in a post weekly state exco meeting media briefing today.

"The letter states that Balkis has not been dissolved. We are still collating information on land ownership and management of its assets, like the building (they operated in), to be given to the ROS.

"These serve as an explanation to the ROS as it is important for it to inform those involved in the handling of these assets, should the dissolution be approved.

So there will not be losses or destruction of the assets that were entrusted (to Balkis) to carry out activities for the benefit of the people in Selangor," he said.

Khalid said: "Whatever happens, our activities will continue. I don’t know about a new society but all our welfare activities will continue."

He affirmed that the wives of assemblymen and MPs as well as women elected representatives in the state have held discussions to continue with providing welfare and social services to the people.

Balkis hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons soon after the March 8 general election when the Barisan Nasional (BN) Selangor government was toppled and the wives of former elected representatives quickly "dissolved" Balkis and transferred some RM10 million to Bakti (the national body of wives of Ministers).

On a separate matter, Khalid also announced that the state government has finalised the list of municipal councillors for Selangor.

However, he said a statement will issued today on the breakdown of representation, their professions, their affiliations, the districts and all the local councils.

When met by reporters later, Selangor Local Government, Research and Development Committee chairman Ronnie Liu said the selected individuals were "10-times better than the previous batch".

"They are not corrupt and are willing to try and are willing to serve. We will be providing them with training and guidance," Liu said.

To kick off part of Pakatan Rakyat (PR)'s concern for the poor, Selangor Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee chairman Dr Xavier Jeyakumar said beginning tomorrow, families with monthly incomes of lower than RM1,500 will each receive 5kg of rice, and 1kg of sugar and milk.

"Each (PR) assemblymen will receive between 700 and 800 bags of rice of 5kg and sugar and milk weighing 1kg each in their offices to be distributed to the people in their area," he said.

Asked what his vision was for the next 100 days of his administration, Khalid said: "The test for us is to see how much we provided value to the people of Selangor.

From now on, we are evaluating ourselves to see if we can add value added services to the investment and growth opportunities for the state."

On Selangor Sultan's threat to call off the Sultan of Selangor Cup’s football match should PAS Youth proceed with their protest against the concert due to be held before the July 6 match, Khalid said he met with the state ruler who has agreed to meet the PAS Youth wing for a discussion on their reservations and concerns on the concert.

"I do not think we want to stop the diplomatic friendly games between Selangor and Singapore but I think now it is a good idea for PAS Youth to get an audience with the Sultan for a discussion," he said, adding that it would be organised before the month's end.

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