SHAH ALAM, Sept 14 — The state government has set up the Selangor Unity and Integration Department (MPIS) that serves as a think-tank and advisory body on matters pertaining to unity in the state.
State exco for unity Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said her team will also be working with Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Ethnic Studies and a few non-governmental organisations to draw up policies.
“This is the first time the state has created such a portfolio. We are starting from scratch. We want to create a framework that is practical and not one that is based on rhetoric,” she said.
Dr Siti Mariah was speaking at the launch of a webinar to celebrate National Day and Malaysia Day 2021 titled ‘Democracy and the creation of the Malaysian Identity: Challenges, Obstacles and the Future’ on Universiti Selangor’s Facebook page.
Dr Siti Mariah also said that many online programmes have been planned for the Merdeka month in hopes that the people will give some feedback on issues of unity and harmony.
“Gathering feedback is important in our policy-making work,” she said, adding that Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari will also hold a discourse with members of the public on September 19 to talk about unity.
Amirudin had earlier promised RM1 million in funds for the state’s Standing Committee for Unity that is also headed by Dr Siti Mariah.
