Back PH-BN to keep Selangor economy chugging, says Salleh

 

Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak is calling on Selangor to choose PH-BN’s moderation over PN’s ‘extreme’ politics on Aug 12.

HULU LANGAT: A former Sabah chief minister has urged Selangor voters to back Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional in Saturday’s state election, saying it is vital that the state “stay the course of moderation”.

Salleh Said Keruak said it was also important to ensure that the government in Selangor, the country’s richest state, was aligned with Putrajaya.

“Selangor is the country’s main economic gateway. If you want to keep it that way and the benefits that come with it, you need to have the right people at the wheel.

“No one has a better track record than BN and PH, be it at the state or national level,” the Sabah BN leader told FMT while campaigning for BN’s Johan Aziz in Dusun Tua on Wednesday.

Selangor, which has been ruled by both BN and PH since independence, contributes a whopping RM364.27 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). This is nearly a quarter of the country’s total GDP.

Salleh said the importance of having the right government in Selangor went beyond ringgit and sen.

“Above everything else, moderation and an appreciation of diversity must be at the heart of any government.

“Selangor is home to people of different races, religions and cultures. It needs a government that not only understands this dynamic but values this above political interests.”

He said the people of Selangor and its economy would lose out if the state was run by an “extreme” party which does not share the federal government’s values and aspirations of uniting Malaysians from all walks of life.

“Do not let extreme politics destroy what Selangor leaders have worked so hard to build over the decades.

“So for the sake of the continuity of Selangor’s prosperity, I urge all Selangor voters to choose moderation and vote for PH-BN.”

Earlier, in his speech, Salleh said it was important for the nation to focus on the economy following disruption in the preceding three years brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

For that reason, he said, it was important for all states to maintain a strong working relationship with the federal government.

“Selangor will benefit from continuing to be governed by PH and BN, which are both strong and stable coalitions.

“BN itself has much to offer when it comes to bringing stability to the Selangor government,” said Salleh.

He also called on BN and PH to put aside any lingering differences which they may have and work together to ensure victory for the unity coalition, adding that the rakyat was fed up with the endless politicking.

Salleh also called for PN to cease its attempts to destabilise and overthrow the federal government.

“Sabah and Sarawak have already committed to support the federal government with 56 seats. So don’t disturb the nation’s stability.

“There is a lot of work to be done. If PN wants to take over Putrajaya, wait for the next general election and we will compete with you for it,” he said.

Selangor goes to the polls on Aug 12. - FMT