By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Aug 11 – Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari reiterated his commitment to ensure better socio-economic development in the state should he secure another five-year term.
In a special election address ahead of polling tomorrow, Amirudin said the unity government is committed to honouring pledges to elevate the living standards of the Selangor people.
He said his administration celebrates the multicultural facets of Selangor, which include diaspora that reside and work in the state, and urged the people to vote objectively.
“This isn’t a zero-sum game. Let’s not harbour grudges or sow seeds of hatred because of an election. Let’s not become suspicious of our fellow citizens’ beliefs due to an election.
“I respect every citizen’s choice. It’s your right. The right of every citizen. We are all Malaysian citizens. No one is a second-class citizen. As I’ve always stressed, no one will be left behind,’’ said Amirudin.
In his speech, Amirudin highlighted the success of the state administration in navigating the Covd-19 pandemic.
“At that time, we felt as if we were a nation at war. The only difference is our enemy was invisible.
“The war we faced had a significant impact on society. It demanded our cognitive abilities, our thinking capacity and understanding, to read both the direct and indirect effects and the immediate impact, as well as the long-term repercussions.
“It required me and the leadership of the state of Selangor to always be agile in thought and to implement future-proof policies for the welfare of the state’s citizens.
“Now, the majority of Malaysians no longer want to look back and reflect on that heart-wrenching episode,’’ he said, adding that 37,165 Malaysians lost their lives in the pandemic.
Amirudin also applauded the resilience of Selangor citizens during the major floods of 2021.
He said this sense of resilience was further evident when over 130,000 families affected by the December 2021 floods rose from the devastation to rebuild their lives.
“Though Selangor was worst-hit, with more of its residents affected by the floods compared with other states due to its high population, its people rebounded faster than those in other regions.
“The citizens of Selangor are dignified and principled, with strong values and morals. Indeed, they are the heartbeat behind the success of the state of Selangor,’’ he said.
