By Shamz Johan and Najamuddin Mohd Nor
GOMBAK, Aug 9 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) is more inclined to play narratives and change the Federal government instead of ensuring economic recovery if they win the elections in six states.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this starkly contrasts with Pakatan Harapan, which has focused on saving the nation after various crises, especially the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our opponent PN is not preoccupied with trying to save the country, restore the economy, or improve the states after the pandemic. They only think about winning in Selangor to overthrow the Federal government.
“The critical issue now is to restore the economy, so we must be of one mind with the people. Not change the Prime Minister or the (Federal) government,” he said during the ceramah at Festival Arus Merah Kuning in Uptown Sri Gombak yesterday night.
The Selangor Harapan chairman said the state plays a vital role in reviving Malaysia’s economy, as it was the most significant contributor to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year.
Amirudin added the Harapan – Barisan Nasional (BN) election manifesto Tawaran Kita Selangor: Lima Tekad untuk Lima Tahun, which was announced on July 31, highlights the 19 efforts by the state administration for economic programmes.
“We have an offer, a plan, the experience, a good track record, and the spirit to unite the people,” said the Sungai Tua seat candidate, who faces off against three other rivals when polling day comes on August 12.
Previously, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang was reported to have said the Federal government will change if PN manages to make significant wins in all six states. However, he provided no detailed explanations as to how exactly this will occur.
Meanwhile, at the Himpunan Perpaduan Selangor Utara ceramah in Kampung Hala Baru Sungai Panjang later on, the Menteri Besar said the desire to see a railway service in Sungai Besar, Sabak Bernam, can only become a reality if the Sungai Panjang state seat is won by Harapan – BN in the state election.
He said the seat is crucial in contributing to forming the state government with a two-thirds majority.
“For a railway from Klang passing through Sungai Besar all the way to Sabak Bernam, Sungai Panjang’s residents must ensure the Unity Government wins in the seat.”
“The construction of the railway, the Mass Rapid Transit Circle Line (MRT) project, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) route necessitates cooperation with the Federal government. That is why the state government must remain aligned with its Federal counterpart,” Amirudin said.
Sungai Panjang will see BN’s Datuk Mohd Imran Tamrin go against PN’s Mohd Razali Saari for the seat.
During Tawaran Kita Selangor’s launch, Amirudin voiced the promise to establish Jajaran Kita Selangor, to connect railway services from Klang to Kuala Selangor, Tanjong Karang, and Sabak Bernam.
It will also connect the railway line from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Tanjong Sepat and Sungai Pelek, transforming Selangor’s west coast into a Railway Service Corridor.
