By Amar Shah Mohsen
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has identified education, climate change and quality job opportunities as key areas of focus that would help drive Malaysia’s economy forward.
Speaking at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) National Affairs Conference, Amirudin pointed out that the majority of Malaysians today desire better and quicker economic progress.
This means there is a demand for higher paying, quality and dignified jobs in the most advanced sectors of the modern economy.
“From automation and the fields of artificial intelligence, to the manufacturing of chips, the opportunities are endless, but we cannot continue to lag behind as a country,” he said at the conference, which was held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of KLSCAH, here, today.
“In Southeast Asia, our neighbours have not only caught up with Malaysia’s industrial fields, we are at risk of being left behind by the likes of Indonesia and Vietnam, while Thailand and their new government are not far behind.”
In the same breath, Amirudin said education remains a crucial area that would provide families the key to improving their quality of lives and enhancing social mobility.
This, he said, is to ensure that every child in Malaysia has an opportunity to equip themselves with knowledge and skills, regardless of their parents’ income.
On climate change, Amirudin said the world today is facing increasing threats from shifts in weather patterns which have wreaked havoc in various countries, most recently in Hong Kong and Libya.
He noted that tens of thousands of people have lost their lives as a result of climate change, with hundreds of thousands more displaced and millions scarred for life.
“These are the three basic areas I believe we have to tackle head on in order to rejuvenate and breathe new life into Malaysia’s economy,” he said.
“Of course, the details matter and how we achieve this is crucial in providing the confidence to you and the business community that this government is prepared to walk the talk to put Malaysia back on the track of success.”
Amirudin said this goal is similarly shared by Selangor, citing the rollout of the First Selangor Plan (RS-1) as proof of the state government’s commitment.
The menteri besar explained the five-year medium-term policy was launched last year not only to cement Selangor’s position as the country’s most advanced state, but also to accelerate its economic growth.
He said this is centred on sustainability, while committing to improving and creating a smart government.
“We realised that it cannot be business as usual, and that was the driving force behind the first ever plan by any state in Malaysia.
“This is to harness the efforts of all in the community; not just the government infrastructure, but efforts of the private sector in a unified approach, because modern day governments cannot continue to work in silos.”
