Selangor PAS says its decade in govt can help PN to improve policies

 

Selangor PAS may have been reduced to a single seat in the last general election, but a party leader has pointed to its decade of experience in state government, which can help Perikatan Nasional improve welfare policies.

Selangor PAS communications secretary Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir said PAS has experience in shaping government policies because it was in the PKR-led government for 10 years.

"We will continue what we started, to lift Selangor’s economy and reduce the gap between urban and rural voters," Roslan (above) was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insight.

PAS, together with PKR and DAP as part of the former Pakatan Rakyat, had in 2008 brought down BN for the first time in Selangor and formed the state government led by the late Khalid Ibrahim as menteri besar.

The pact lasted until 2015, after which PAS declared it would no longer work with DAP.

Then Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad, who was also one of three PAS state excos under Khalid's successor - then PKR deputy president Azmin Ali - at the time said the party will remain a part of the state administration until the 2018 general election.

With PAS out of the picture, PKR, DAP, Amanah and Bersatu as Pakatan Harapan strengthened its grip on Selangor in 2018 when it won 51 out of the 56 state seats.

Now entering the upcoming state polls as part of PN, Roslan claimed the people of Selangor remain familiar with PAS.

"It is not impossible that they will vote for PAS," he added.

As such, he said PN will focus on Malay voters because they make up the majority of Selangor’s population, with plans to launch programmes to improve the socio-economic status of the marginalised, including the Malays.

Selangor, under Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, has since 2018 seen the introduction of over 40 welfare programmes under the ‘Iltizam Selangor Penyayang’ banner.

The Selangor government also introduced the People’s Care Initiative for the poor and marginalised.

Focusing on youth

The Malaysian Insight also quoted Selangor Bersatu secretary Azman Yaakob who said PN will focus on the youth in addition to food security and economic issues.

"We will focus more on young people who will be making changes in the future.

"They are the ones who need to be informed and taken care of, especially on issues related to sports, recreational activities, job opportunities, and a better economy.

"We also won’t forget affordable housing and bread-and-butter issues," he said.

PN is expected to kickstart its Selangor campaign tonight with a ceramah in Tanjong Karang - a stronghold of former Umno leader Noh Omar - and one of several Malay-majority constituencies expected to face a heated battle. - Mkini