By Syauqi Jamil
SHAH ALAM: Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari today reminded members of the media on the importance of standing their ground as the fourth estate.
He said it is not only essential that the member of the press be made into a check and balance agent but should be empowered even further especially in these times.
“Among the important lessons to learn from the May 9 elections is that the people can make their own decision despite attempts to dictate them with imbalance news reports.
“Therefore it is crucial that media defends the principle of fair reporting with their position as the fourth estate to check and balance the national administration,” he said.
The term Fourth Estate or fourth power is often unofficially used to refer to the press or news media in explicit capacity of advocacy and implicit ability to frame political issues.
He said this in his keynote speech during a Hi Tea event with the media in conjunction to his 100th day as the Selangor MB.
Amirudin said that he will do what he can within his powers to defend such principle as he believes that its the only way to breed a more mature and balanced society.
The Sungai Tua assemblyman said that not once did he ever taken offence towards news reports that’s against him or the state government but expressed admiration to such balanced culture.
“I often reminded the Selangor state exco to answer every questions that was raised, not ignore or sweep it under the rug. If its wrong we can correct it. This is important part of check and balance,” he said.
Selangor wants to be regional Smart State by 2025
Meanwhile, Amirudin said that the Selangor state government are working hard towards making the state an influential one not just to the country but to the eyes of South East Asia.
Through Smart State, Selangor will breed new economic fundamentals through numerous Smart Applications.
“Our target by 2025 is to make Selangor a regional Smart State which based on Smart applications. It won’t be an easy task.
“Before this, numerous areas have implemented Smart City but we want to be a Smart State to cultivate new hope to the community while remains as an economic powerhouse,” he said.
