By Sofia Nasir
GOMBAK, Jan 29 — The Selangor government continuously aims to strike a balance between progress and culture to safeguard the well-being of its citizens, says Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
The Menteri Besar described culture as an essential component of civilisation that is embedded in a community and nation.
“The state government strives to balance progress and culture because we do not want to continue being swept away by development but lose out on civilisation.
“That is why the (Federal) government introduced the Malaysia Madani concept, which emphasises economic and cultural empowerment based on values, ethics, or morality,” he said when delivering his speech at the launch of the Gombak Parliament Hari Prihatin Rakyat: Entrepreneurship and Culture Carnival, here yesterday.
Amirudin said that the people exhibit a great degree of civility and that this culture should not be undermined or influenced by the West through social media.
Therefore, he said, the state administration introduced various spiritual programmes, such as religious gatherings and prayers, to ensure that society would always be surrounded by knowledge.
“Not only is the Western culture unsuitable for us, but so is the Arab culture. They are somewhat harsh, and we have to distinguish between religion and culture because the former offers morals with a code of conduct,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Hari Prihatin Rakyat programme for the Gombak constituents held at Dewan Orang Ramai Kampung Melayu Wira Damai, here, featured various programmes, such as football competitions, health screenings, and exhibition counters for government agencies and departments and saw more than 5,000 visitors.
Among the agencies that had set up counters for the public were the government’s Central Database System (Padu), Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor (Yawas), Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), and Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
Amirudin said the event is held monthly at each of the state constituencies under the Gombak parliament.
“We hold this programme every month, and there are three state constituencies. Today (yesterday), the event is held in Sungai Tua to celebrate the residents here with the theme of entrepreneurship and culture.
“This is an opportunity for me to meet the people and mingle with them. The event also offers the registrations of programmes by various agencies,” he said.
Also present were Amirudin’s political secretary Rahim Kasdi, Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) chief executive officer Norita Mohd Sidek, and Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) chief executive officer Dr Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi.
Amirudin, who is also the Sungai Tua state assemblyman, also saw the Under-12 Children’s Football League and handed over mock cheques for contributions under Skim Insurans Am Selangor (Insan) and Skim Insurans Am Selangor (Hijrah Selangor).
