By Fhatihah Zakinan
HULU LANGAT, Aug 10 — Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari is relying on facts and figures to counter Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) false narrative that Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) and Barisan Nasional (BN) have failed to properly administer Selangor and Malaysia.
The state menteri besar said the accusations by political rivals are nothing more than a desperate attempt to garner support ahead of the upcoming August 12 election.
“They attack us by accusing us of failing to take care of the state economy. This is merely an attempt to influence voters by claiming as though they are the best at developing and administering a nation.
“For the record, Selangor contributed 25.5 per cent of the national gross domestic product, meaning for every RM10 in Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s pocket, RM2.55 is from Selangor.
“If they are so smart, they have been in power in Kelantan for so long and administered Terengganu for a full term, what progress have they brought? These are not figures I created myself, but from the Statistics Department.”
He said this during a Kita Selangor election programme in Beranang last night. BN’s candidate for the Semenyih state constituency, Wan Zulaikha Anua, was also present.
Amirudin, who is state Harapan chairman, added that BN had also contributed massively to Selangor prior to 2008, including opening new villages to replace the Sungai Renggam farm and facilitating its development into a city now known as Shah Alam.
“After 2008, we expanded the state’s programmes, improved infrastructure, built the Klang Third Bridge, and offered new economic opportunities, among other things. This (Harapan-BN) is the combination that will ensure Selangor’s progress in the future.”
On a separate matter, Amirudin reminded voters on the importance of political stability to ensure the strengthening and smooth recovery of the economy.
In this regard, he said it is pertinent for the six states that are facing the polls this Saturday — Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu — to share the same government as the federal administration.
He also noted how political instability, along with flip-flopping decisions and the Covid-19 pandemic, had previously affected the country’s economy and increased the national debt, although things are beginning to improve under the Unity government.
“These problems were addressed as soon as the 15th general election concluded. Why, you ask? Because there is the Unity government. When there is stability, the economy will improve.
“Today, the ringgit is also becoming increasingly stable as compared to 10 or 11 days ago,” he said.
Amirudin said that the 60 per cent increment in investments in the first six months of this year compared to last adds further credence to the political stability brought upon by the current federal government.
“And because of investors’ confidence towards a stable government, we will not falter and collapse. Instead, we will remain for the next five years.
