Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari has expressed hope for him to head the state government for another term but said he will obey whatever Pakatan Harapan decides.
He said that as a party member, he will follow the party’s strategies for Selangor in the upcoming state election as it would be in everyone's best interests.
"If I am asked personally, I would prefer to remain as the menteri besar. But as a party member, I have to follow strategies and plans which are not up to me to decide.
"Of course, the party and its leadership have to make a decision and discuss what is best for everyone," he told reporters at a press conference in Bestari Jaya this morning.
Amirudin was responding to a question on whether he will remain as Harapan's poster boy for Selangor in the state election.
He also said the issue of who will be Harapan's poster boy in the election "is not everything".
"What is more important is whether we have successfully delivered our services (to the rakyat) and our capabilities," he added.
Amirudin was also asked if he was ready to face former menteri besar Azmin Ali should the latter want to challenge him again in an election.
The Selangor PKR chief said he does not know if Azmin plans to do so, but will be ready for any eventualities.
"It is up to whatever strategy he wants to employ, but whatever it is, we have to be ready for any situation and challenges."
‘Allah’ issue: No impact on S’gor
On the "Allah" issue, Amirudin said the federal government's withdrawal of its appeal at the Court of Appeal does not have any impact on Selangor.
This was because a ban against non-Muslims using the term and several other words, which are deemed exclusive to Islam, had been in place in Selangor for a long time.
"The restriction had been in place for a long time in Selangor. Not only for 'Allah', but also several other words, they are not allowed to be in (non-Islamic) texts.
"The Printing Presses and Publications Act also does not allow this. So, the issue will not have an impact here," he added.
He said Selangor had previously returned Bibles containing the word "Allah" to Sarawak, and the same process will be should such texts be found in the state.
"Meaning, if we find such texts, we will return them to the relevant parties and they cannot be used in Selangor.
"(This rule is in place) to protect the sanctity of Islam and defend the aqidah of Muslims," he added.
On March 10, 2021, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur allowed a judicial review by Jill Ireland, a Melanau Christian, who sought a declaration that she has the right to use the word “Allah” for religious and educational purposes.
The government had initially appealed against the decision but gave notice on April 18 that it would no longer pursue the appeal.
Raw Water Guarantee Scheme
At today's event, Amirudin launched the state's Raw Water Guarantee Scheme, a project that aims at tackling water supply issues in Selangor by ensuring seamless water operation at its treatment plants across the state.
It involves a total cost of RM320 million.
Expected to be ready by next year, Amirudin said the scheme will allow state water authorities to detect pollution at rivers early, and allow them to isolate the polluted source before channelling water from retention ponds.
"Before this, we had to shut down water treatment plants whenever pollution occurred before carrying out works to address the pollution.
"But now, with this scheme, we won't have to shut down treatment plants anymore." - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.