By Zareef Muzammil
PETALING JAYA, July 6 — Investments brought in by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali during his stint as Selangor menteri besar was indeed the lowest on record in the 15 years since Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) took over state power.
This is according to the current menteri besar and state Harapan chairman Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, who noted that investments into Selangor was as low as RM7 billion a year when Azmin was at the helm.
Amirudin also revealed that the state’s highest contribution to the national gross domestic product (GDP) under Azmin was only at 23.7 per cent in 2018, compared to the 25.5 per cent recorded last year, as per data from the Statistics Department.
“After he (Azmin) left the party midway and became the economy minister, he claimed that we (Selangor) have lost to Johor (in terms of GDP contribution).
“But when I checked, it turned out that when he was menteri besar, Selangor’s investment went as low as between RM6 billion and RM7 billion, the lowest in the 15 years Selangor is under Harapan’s rule,” he said during the Jelajah Madani programme, here, last night.
Amirudin pointed out that the state’s investment performance rebounded to RM18 billion following a change in administration in 2018, adding that last year’s figure also stood at a healthy RM17 billion.
“Azmin said the rebound in investment was because of him. At the time, he was the economy minister, but he did nothing. The only thing he was thinking about was to topple the government and prevent Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from becoming prime minister.
“He betrayed the people’s mandate and today he is upset that Anwar has become the 10th prime minister,” he said.
On a separate matter, Amirudin noted that Selangor reserves have now surpassed RM3.4 billion.
He said this has allowed the state government to roll out various people-centric programmes, including Jualan Ehsan Rakyat, Insan general insurance scheme, Raw Water Security Scheme (SJAM) and other flood mitigation and road maintenance projects.
These initiatives, he added, effectively invalidate Azmin’s recent accusation that the state is not spending enough for the rakyat.
Instead, Amirudin said the strong reserves only means that the administration always ensures good management of funds.
“Previously, our reserves fell to as low as RM2.14 billion, but it has now increased to RM3.29 billion. The latest figure I received is RM3.4 billion. He (Azmin)
“Next week, I will show how much Azmin has spent and how much I have spent. I will prove that with prudent spending, we can make sure public funds are not spent willy-nilly.
“We have a strong savings, and we spend enough for the sake of the people’s welfare.”
